Westhampton Beach Middle School critical literacy teacher Kelly Russell has been recognized by VFW Post 5350 as a Teacher of the Year. 

Russell was honored to be recognized. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have been nominated and selected as a Teacher of the Year for the middle school,” she said. “The VFW is such a wonderful organization, as it embodies the leadership and commitment to community that I hope to inspire in my Critical Literacy classes.”

Russell, of Wantagh, has taught in the Westhampton Beach School District since 2002. During her tenure, she has created two elective courses on United Nations policies. She also supervises the social action and charity work of more than 100 middle school students. 

Prior to her time in Westhampton Beach, Russell was employed for two years as a teacher trainer and curriculum developer for Eastern Suffolk BOCES in Deer Park, and as a facilitator for the Long Island Writing Project in Garden City from 1999-2004. She started her career as a ninth grade English teacher in the Levittown School District. She also taught high school English and creative writing for two years in the Northport School District. 

Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature and a Master of Arts in education from the University of Buffalo, as well as a Master of Science in literacy and reading development from Hofstra University.