Candidate: Kelly Gore

Hello Levy County! Since you are here, it means you want to know more about me, thank you for taking the time to get to know me and researching your candidates. I would love to meet you personally; you can reach me anytime at 352-221-1417! 😊

My name is Kelly Strickland Gore, and I’m running for Levy County School Board, District 4. I guess the big question is “Why am I running?” The answer is quite simple for me. I’m running for School Board because I love Levy County Schools and believe that I can make a difference. I have a passion for creating positive relationships and cultures where ALL stakeholders work together to do what is best for ALL children. My experience as both a classroom teacher and school-based administrator will enable me to make the best decisions possible for our County.

My roots in Levy County run deep. I am the daughter of the late Charles Strickland and Margie Strickland Davis (Jeff). I have one brother, Allen Strickland (Aubrey). I have been married 22 years to Adam Gore. Adam is the son of Lois and Curtis Gore. Together, we have two beautiful children, Wade (19) a freshman at Santa Fe College and Ella (18) a senior at Chiefland High School. Born and raised in Levy County has brought so many amazing memories and created in me a yearning to continue to give back to the county that basically raised me and helped me to become the woman I am today. I am so incredibly proud that not only my entire school career, but also my husband’s and both my children‘s were spent in Levy County.

After graduating from Chiefland High School in 1998, I become a substitute teacher for Levy County Schools while I attended Santa Fe College and Saint Leo University receiving my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. My teaching career began in 2002 at Williston Elementary School where I taught a 3rd grade inclusion class for two years. Over the course of nine years, I was a classroom teacher at Williston Elementary, Bronson Elementary, Chiefland Elementary and Chiefland Middle School. I learned so much from each of these places and built lasting relationships with community members, co-workers, students and families.

While working as a classroom teacher I went to class in the evenings at Saint Leo University to earn my master’s degree in educational leadership. I began my administrative career in 2011 as the assistant principal at Williston Middle School. For the last twelve and a half years I have been a school-based administrator including assistant principal positions at Williston Middle School, Chiefland Middle School, Chiefland Elementary School and Chiefland Middle High School and a principal position at Williston Middle School before the new Williston Middle High School was built. I am currently employed by Florida Virtual School as a district assessment specialist. I work with fourteen school districts across the state of Florida.

My experiences as a classroom teacher shaped me into the educator I am today. In the classroom I developed empathy and compassion, curriculum and instructional knowledge, data analysis and assessment skills and a true commitment to education. I taught a variety of grade levels including first grade, second grade, third grade, 5th grade and middle school intensive reading classes. Classroom teachers are heroes in my book. They give selflessly each and every day to our students. They cheer when they succeed, and they encourage and motivate when they struggle. I know that my teaching experience will help me make informed decisions and advocate for students and teachers.

My time in administration has, without a doubt, given me a wealth of knowledge and experience. As a school-based administrator, I have worked with budgets, created master schedules, implemented and adjusted to new policies and statutes and managed staff and faculty. Today’s ever-changing society has brought many changes and challenges to our education system. I feel that my experience in dealing with these challenges will make me an excellent school board member.

I hope that this has given you a little insight into who I am and why I would be honored to be your next School Board, District 4 member. You have my word, that if elected to this position I will always have an open-door policy, I will always listen to your concerns, and I will ALWAYS do what is best for our children. Our students are the future of our beloved Levy County.

I humbly ask for your support.

Thank you,

Kelly Strickland Gore