7th Grade
My name is Mrs. Kelly Flynn, and I am the seventh grade teacher at Burnham School. Although it's a little hard for me to believe how quickly time has passed, I am starting my 32 year teaching at Burnham School!
I am a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and received my Master's Degree in Reading from Concordia University. I am avid about continuing my education and in the last few years completed 8 more graduate classes through Benedictine University. One of my favorite things about teaching is to see my students get excited about reading and responding to reading materials. Though books may be hidden more carefully in my classroom since our renovation, I have plenty of books to share with my students. I want to encourage my students to foster a life-long love for reading and learning.
When I am not at Burnham School, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am married to Joe Flynn, who is a department chair and college professor at Moraine Valley Community College. We are the proud parents of two recent college graduates. Sean is our older son who graduated from Purdue Northwest University in 2019, and is teaching for his 4th year for junior high special education students in Merrillville, Indiana. Ian is our younger son, who graduated from Indiana University in 2021 and finished graduate school at Purdue University in December 2022, studying chemical engineering. He recently became engaged to Nicole, moved to Middleton, Wisconsin, and has found his career as a scientist. Our sons have grown to be very responsible young men and are great human beings and great caregivers to their dogs and cat.
As we were becoming empty-nesters, we adopted a rescue dog eight years ago, named Chelsea. She is a 10 year old beagle/shepherd mix. She is still a little shy around most people and greatly dislikes fireworks and storms, but Chelsea loves to go on walks and car rides!
As far as what I like to do personally...I like to read, go to the gym, walk our dog, ride my bike, spend time with friends and family, discover new restaurants, and travel. We are hoping to go back to Ireland with our family in the near future. Also, I like to attend outdoor concerts, movies, and sporting events, especially White Sox games. Recently, we have started a garden, and I enjoy making recipes with our homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. I also enjoy going to cooking demonstrations to learn better techniques for using the food we grow.
I am a very fortunate person to have such a wonderful life with my husband and family and also to be able to teach at Burnham School, my home away from home, since 1993!