Kaylee Kleist

Kaylee Kleist works as a school librarian and soccer coach. Now in her second year at the school library in Decatur, IL, her main focus is encouraging high school students to read more and enjoy physical books through events like Books and Brew, where checking out a book is required to receive coffee. She also coaches the high school girls soccer team, drawing from her college soccer background, with a priority on building the athletes' confidence and helping them enjoy the game without excessive self-criticism. Holding a Global Studies major, Kaylee has experience from part-time jobs, babysitting, and an internship in an International Student Services Office. As an athlete with hearing loss, she takes pride in advocating for herself and others, including through a radio show on athletes with disabilities. Kaylee attributes her success to not letting emotions interfere with her goals, accepting her present situation, enjoying the process, maintaining open communication, and practicing self-advocacy rather than hiding her hearing loss.