Watchung Hills' Pat Kelly Notes 'It's Time to Go'

When Pat Kelly joined Watchung Hills Regional High School's Social Studies Department in 2002, she came with a rich and varied teaching background.

Along the way, after her graduation from St. John's University, her career path took her from Farmingdale, N.Y., to Atlanta, Houston, Chicago and Columbus, Ohio – wherever her husband's career led.

In the decade in which she's served Watchung Hills, Kelly has taught U.S. History 2, but her specialty has been World Cultures—not surprisingly, since her graduate specialty was Asian History. In fact, she wrote the curriculum for World Cultures in 2005. The course is required of all students and gives them a broad view of the geography, history, culture, current issues and conflicts of the nations in the Mid-
East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. At the same time, they learn their role as global citizens in the world.

Some instructors might approach this subject by assigning a lot of reading and research papers, but Kelly who incidentally wrote Watchung Hill's curriculum in 2005 uses many innovative and interactive approaches to enhance students' understanding of other peoples. Thanks in part to the rich mix of cultures at Watchung Hills culture, students are able to share experiences, explain the diversity of backgrounds by learning a South African dance, various religious practices (a Hindu wedding, for example).

Thus, instead of gaining knowledge about other cultures exclusively by reading, students may practice yoga, paint a Chinese watercolor, play cricket—a humanities approach which will enable them to become global citizens.

When written reports or research projects are required, Kelly has observed that within the last few years, students have become ever more comfortable, confident and adept at accessing the facts and figures they need—instant information via the electronic medium.

“Kids are so much more knowledgeable,” she said.

Intimately related to her enthusiasm understanding world cultures is Kelly's interest in the United Nations. She initiated the practice of class visits to the UN, which are now undertaken in the spring of each year by World Culture students (budget constraints canceled this year's trips, however).

The youth themselves engage in a “model UN” held each year in the late spring. Each student is part of a model delegation and becomes involved in a discussion or debate on a specific issue. They will, naturally, have had to become familiar with both the nation they represent and parliamentary procedure, and have a good overall grasp of world conditions.

Beyond the classroom, Kelly has briefly coached girls' soccer and volleyball, has advised the CARE Club and has served as mentor to several incoming staff members. Outside of school, she's been active in the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women and a swim team.

A trip to Istanbul, the Mediterranean area has motivated Kelly to take more intensive travel—perhaps a one direction, round-the-world airplane jaunt. But before that, the Lebanon resident wants to spend time with her daughter and two young granddaughters.

“I loved teaching. It changes almost every year,” says Kelly as she helps her classes understand the newly occurring revolts in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. “But, it's time to go.”