An Inspired Chat with Monica Kelly of online

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Monica Kelly. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Monica, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I am the vice president on the board of a monkey sanctuary in Costa Rica where I have a home. It is a joy to be able to help with everything from babysitting orphan monkeys and raccoons to making meals for volunteers.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Monica Lynn Kelly. I have 20 plus years of successful experience in teaching, curriculum development and support of new teachers in various communities and at various grade levels. These communities include both the military and civilian sectors as well as in Central America. Grade levels include elementary, secondary, and graduate. I homeschooled my children (now young adults) as well. I currently am an adjunct faculty member, teaching courses for the teacher preparation program at National University and University of Phoenix. I also consult with families that are considering homeschooling and want to find the best program / path for their child. For the past few years I have been teaching supplemental classes for students via the online platform, Outschool. Some of these are classes that I designed for my daughter at some point and wanted to extend the gift of her learning thru offering these classes to others. I also tutor executive functioning skills for middle and high school students which is in great need.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I think that there are probably many moments that helped how I see the world. One of those moments was making the decision to homeschool my two children. I had seen the world through the eyes of an educator that was confined to a brick and mortar classroom. Although I prided myself in providing an engaging, creative environment for my students, I still felt confined. When my husband and I decided to homeschool our children, the world opened up for me as an educator.. Through experiential learning, I was able to give my children a global perspective of the world. I was able to take them places such as museums, zoos and aquariums. But, the most profound was to move them to a different country where they were immersed into the culture and truly grew and matured in so many ways. This opened my “classroom” up into a learning explosion!

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I have had several wounds that have been defining, but have not defined me. There was a time where I felt empty, unfulfilled, and needed guidance. I felt numb and apathetic, “not tuned in…”

My life revolved around me being a teacher. I gained happiness, fulfillment, my identity, recognition. I felt that I had a passion for teaching in the inner city and that is what my life was about.

I was job-sharing and struggling with my teaching partner. I was judgmental, expecting, and thought that I “was a better teacher because my priorities were straight.” She quit and two days before I was to return full-time, Jacob (12 months old), had a seizure. I took a temporary leave (not in any way thinking it would be permanent). He subsequently had another one two weeks later that landed him in ICU for a few days. Jacob came out fine (considering), I had to take a permanent leave and found myself an “instant stay at home mom.” I was not happy. I was lost.

The first night we were there, a band played for twenty minutes and then a break to chat and get coffee!! ( that was new to me). The worship music stirred such emotion in me, I was hooked from the beginning. Chris thought I was going to have a hard time and think the experience was “too strange”, but I turned to him and said I felt that I was “home.” From then on, my attitude started to change. After embracing friends that were farther on the journey than me, and after much questioning and exploration (which I am still vigorously doing), I began to “get it” kind of, and to see that God had a plan for me and that I needed to trust and have faith that this was the season for me and that he would help me and guide me through this difficult journey.

As I began to embrace the church and commit to learning and journeying with this new found faith, my life began to come into a new balance. I questioned and sought answers. My doubts and questions became deeper, yet I persevered through finding answers. I hungered and continue to hunger for more answers!!!

I began teaching at the University level which allowed me to be at home during the day and to teach two nights a week. I began to appreciate and hold dear, the time spent with my kids. Although, we struggle financially, I treasure and cherish the fact that they have a mom with them and an amazing father with them the majority of the time and I have faith that God will provide. I have accepted that my identity and affirmation comes from the Father and not from my job. I still struggle with wanting to “save the world,” but I think back to where I would be if I had gone back full-time.

I am motivated now by the fact that what I do and who I am is through God’s will. I see him as guiding me and I see myself as following. I still struggle everyday with really hearing God, but I no longer see me just praying for forgiveness and seeking blessings to someone I don’t know or understand. I now see myself having a conversation with a King that sees me as his Princess.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is an interesting question that I thought I would choose because I don’t feel that it is common anymore to have the public version of oneself be the real version. For me, it truly is. I choose not to be on social media to share my personal life. Not that I am agains people knowing me personally, but I just choose not to document what is going on with me or my family. In fact, my girlfriend just recently convinced me that I should at least have an instagram page to promote my business. Reluctantly, I allowed her to set up a page. I understand that this is a great tool and I will use it for just that, a tool. However, what is posted on it is nothing but real. I try to portray as much authenticity as I can. If you asked my friends and family, they would say that what you see and hear when you meet me and have a conversation with me, is the real me in every situation.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am in the ocean. I am a distance swimmer and free diver. When I am out in the ocean, I am in a meditative state and I am in the present. When I am most at peace on land is when my inner dialogue is quiet. When I feel like my actions and thoughts are aligned and balanced with my values and goals, then I am at peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.msmonicasglobaleducationservices.com/services
• Instagram: @ms.monicasglobaledu
• Facebook: MsMonicasGlobalEDU