On December 21, 2020, a great man peacefully slipped away from us. To call Mark Kelly “great” isn’t vague, blurry-eyed mushiness. The long-time journalism teacher would have taken a red pen to any unearned sentimentalism, especially concerning himself. Nor does it refer to chest-thumping pride, which the irreverent man would have scoffed at.
No, the greatness of Mr. Kelly was quieter than that, yet tangible all the same. It still glimmers in the Panther Press’ many awards, which blanket the walls at Jefferson High School. It’s there in the stories of his family and friends, who describe his personality as utterly singular. And, most importantly, it’s reflected in the successes of his students, many of whom deem him the most influential teacher they ever had. Mr. Kelly might have shuffled his steps and taken long, searching pauses in the middle of stories, but his greatness was apparent to those who sat in his classroom or warmed the bar stool next to him.
Mr. Kelly brought deep dedication and unforgettable style to his four decades of teaching. His style was bigger than one paragraph will allow, but for now, picture Hawaiian shirts in January, clouds of Camel smoke, and a cheekiness that ended classroom discussions with: “Like a condom, let’s roll on.”
