Thomas Kelly

Thomas Kelly was born in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Kelly earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University in 1992, a graduate degree from Roosevelt University in 1999, a second graduate degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2003, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2010. Kelly's career experience includes working as a university department chair and associate professor.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Wyoming needs a Superintendent with a wide range of educational, administrative, and leadership experience who also understands government. I’ve worked in public and private schools with students ranging from middle schoolers with severe learning/behavioral/emotional disabilities to graduate level students who teach at community colleges. Currently, I am the department chair for political science and public administration at American Military University, an HLC accredited institution with enrollment eight times larger than UW. In addition, I serve on the Wyoming legislature’s Education and School Finance Recalibration committees.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Stagnating proficiency in literacy and math is a challenge that requires input from our thousands of educational professionals to address, not more top-down mandates from Cheyenne. However, the primary issue is complacency over the status quo believing that Wyoming doesn’t need to do better for our kids simply because we perform better than most other states. The state needs to take a step back with mandated standards and requirements, allow educators to help identify the core priority standards, and then trust our educators to develop and deliver curriculum appropriate and tailored to their local communities.I’ve been a vocal advocate for significantly increased compensation for those in the trenches with our kids because teaching is challenging enough without having to work a second job. However, I recall public school teaching, while always a challenge, to be fun. Fewer requirements from the state and less pressure for kids to perform on WYTOPP could allow educators more freedom to exercise their talents. Academic freedom allows teachers to innovate, to enjoy their work more, and that ultimately translates into more student success when a teacher is motivated rather than burnt out or demoralized.Wyoming law requires that the SBLC and SLIB maximize revenues from state lands to fund education. The sale of state lands is exploitation of our resources for a quick buck, not optimizing our resources for the best returns. Wyoming should sell no state lands. If the federal government sells lands, Wyoming should have the first chance to purchase those properties to add to our assets rather than have them go to private ownership.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, economic development, and property rights. Property rights protection fosters economic development, which in turn funds education.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

In addition to an endorsement by the WY Republican Party, local groups like Conservative Coalition 307, Liberty's Place 4 U Wyoming, and Wyoming Citizens for Liberty PAC. I've also been endorsed by WY Right to Life, Young Americans for Liberty, and Stand for Health Freedom.

Thomas Kelly did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Thomas Kelly did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.