Kelly Clinton
Kelly Clinton, M.A., Hub-CMI Credentialed, is an accomplished educator, Spanish-English translator, and interpreter based in the New York City metropolitan area. She currently serves as an English as a New Language (ENL) Coordinator and ENL Teacher at DREAM Charter School’s Mott Haven campus, where she oversees compliance and multilingual learner programming standards across schools in the DREAM Network. In her roles at DREAM Charter School (formerly Harlem RBI), Kelly provides direct instruction to English Language Learners, supports curriculum scaffolding, and ensures equitable access to education for all students. Her work bridges language and culture, empowering multilingual learners to fully engage in academic and community life. Kelly holds a Master of Arts in Translation & Interpreting from Hunter College, with a focus on medical translation and interpretation, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from Russell Sage College. She is TEFL certified and Hub-CMI credentialed, reflecting her expertise in language instruction, cross-cultural communication, and medical interpreting. Her career spans teaching Spanish and English as a New Language, developing curricula, and providing interpreting services in medical and community settings. Kelly also volunteers with organizations that support immigrants’ access to healthcare and legal services, bringing her skills to bear in meaningful, real-world contexts. Kelly’s professional focus centers on language access and culturally competent communication. She emphasizes empathy, understanding, and giving, leading with passion while striving to create clarity between people and systems so multilingual learners and patients can be fully heard and understood. Actively engaged in professional leadership, she served as President of the Translation & Interpretation Society at Hunter College and participates in ELL/MLL leadership cohorts. Kelly’s dedication, bilingual proficiency, and commitment to equitable access make her a trusted educator, interpreter, and advocate for multilingual communities.
• Hub-CMI
• Russell Sage College - BA, Spanish Language and Literature
• Hunter College - MA, Translation & Interpreting- Spanish to English
• MLL/ELL Leadership for Special Populations Cohort- Member
• Translation Interpretation Society at Hunter Translation Interpretation Society at Hunter- President
• Russell Sage College Spanish Club- PresidentMLL/ELL Leadership for Special Populations Cohort- Member
• Russell Sage College Spanish Club- President
• Medical Interpreter,
CommunityHealth
• Spanish Interpreter,
Safe Passage Project
• Spanish Translator,
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
• Volunteer interpreter with Chicago Community Health Clinic
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentors, experiences, and values that have guided my career in language services. My journey began teaching Spanish after graduating in 2018 and has since expanded to include English as a New Language instruction and medical and community interpreting. Early on, a world language teacher inspired me by emphasizing that language learning is effort-based, not limited by intelligence. Her guidance gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities in multilingual education and interpretation and continues to influence how I support students and communities today. As an ENL Coordinator and teacher at DREAM Charter School’s Mott Haven campus, I collaborate with staff to ensure equitable access to education, provide direct instruction, support curriculum scaffolding, and translate materials for newcomer students. Through volunteer work as a medical and community interpreter, I bridge cultural and linguistic gaps to help patients access critical services. I bring empathy, understanding, and passion to all aspects of my work, taking pride in fostering growth, cultural competence, and meaningful connections across languages and communities.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that with dedication and the right mindset, anything is possible—especially when it comes to learning and connecting through language. My passion for languages drives me every day, motivating me to expand access to language services and support multilingual learners and communities. I am inspired by people who believe in the potential of others, and two individuals have had a profound impact on my journey. Monica Sauer, a world language teacher, was the first person to tell me that no one is incapable of learning a new language if they commit themselves to it; her encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue a career in language education and interpretation. Professor Cristian Gonzalez inspired me to approach medical interpreting with a human-centered perspective, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and connection in every interaction. Outside of work, I am passionate about giving back, fostering mentorship, and connecting with other women in our community to inspire the next generation of learners and leaders.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never stop learning and never set limitations for yourself." Kelly encourages persistence, openness to knowledge, and discipline in skill development.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my professional and personal life, I prioritize empathy, understanding, and service to others. Through my volunteer work as a medical interpreter with CommunityHealth, I support patient-provider communication across specialties including gynecology, internal medicine, mental health, ophthalmology, and oncology. I also serve as a Spanish interpreter for the Safe Passage Project and as a Spanish translator for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, translating legal documents such as birth certificates to assist immigrants and refugees in accessing critical services. These experiences reflect my commitment to ensuring that language is never a barrier to care, support, or opportunity, and they guide my approach to education, communication, and leadership in all areas of my work.