EXPERTISE
Early Childhood Teacher Preparation
Preservice Teacher Supervision
Student Teaching
Reflective Practice
High Stakes Standardized Assessment
FACULTY PROFILE
Dr. Amy Kelly is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Governors State University, where she also serves as Program Coordinator for the Early Childhood Education programs. She teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework in math methods, assessment, and supervises early childhood field experiences and student teachers.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Kelly spent over a decade as a public school educator in the south suburbs of Chicago, teaching in general education, special education, and ESL settings. Her professional work centers on preparing reflective, responsive teachers and supporting candidates as they navigate curriculum mandates, field-based learning, and the complexities of contemporary classrooms.
Dr. Kelly’s scholarship examines student voice, reflective practice, and the impact of standardization on teaching and learning. Her work draws on critical and qualitative methodologies, including photovoice, to explore how teachers and students make meaning within highly regulated educational environments. She is particularly interested in how creative, relational, and arts-based practices can support teacher agency, well-being, and professional sustainability.
She is the author of two scholarly books on high-stakes standardized testing and has published peer-reviewed research in journals such as International Journal of Changes in Education, Journal of Educational Supervision, and International Journal of Technology in Education. Her recent work also explores the intersections of artificial intelligence, creativity, and teacher preparation. Dr. Kelly regularly presents her research at national and international conferences and serves as a reviewer for multiple education journals.
Link to Dr. Amy Kelly's CV