Her Story
About Kelly
Kelly Breen serves as Teacher Manager at the Guild for Human Services, a non-profit school in Massachusetts. In this role, which she has held for one year, she oversees five classrooms for students with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Breen brings more than ten years of experience in education, having previously taught third grade for nine years in inner-city schools across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She earned her bachelor's degree with dual certification in elementary and special education, followed by a master's in Curriculum and Design and Trauma-Informed Leadership from New England College in Henneker, New Hampshire, completed between 2019 and 2020. Breen maintains certification in CPI, or Crisis Prevention, which supports safety protocols and trauma-informed strategies in her work. During college, she was recognized in the high honor society, joined the leadership society Omicron Delta Kappa, served as president of a student teachers leadership group, and acted as vice president of her graduating class. Her drive stems from a lifelong passion for education, inspired by her first-grade teacher Mrs. Barry, and she emphasizes values such as self-worth, compassion, empathy, flexibility, and maintaining a learner-first mindset.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've always been driven in my goals. I've wanted to be an educator since I was in first grade, inspired by my first teacher Mrs. Barry. From 2000 until 2026, I have been on this journey following my passion.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I've worked with some of the best educators in New England. Honestly, just watching them at their craft, watching what works for them and their students, and learning how to go with the flow. Being flexible as a leader, and being open-minded is probably the best advice that I have ever gotten. It's just, honestly, day-to-day things like listening, watching, being open-minded, and being flexible, because nothing ever goes to plan.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Anyone who works in education is a learner first. Because every day, you've got to learn something, and every day is a new day. So, like, don't hold on to anything from the past, start everything fresh.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Valuing yourself, your self-worth is probably a huge one. Caring about others, compassion, empathy, being empathetic. You've also got to be fun-loving. Because you've got to have some fun, because if you're not going to laugh, you're going to cry.
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