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Welcome to Leaves of Learning Academy! 🌳Come Grow With Us!🌳

Kelly Hall  M. Ed., B.S. Ed
Founder and Owner of Leaves of Learning Academy
Educator and Curriculum Designer

I have been teaching elementary school for 27 years. I have a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with an additional 30 hour concentration in the sciences in the state of Ohio and a Masters Degree in Education plus an additional 45 graduate credit hours in math, literacy and curriculum.  I have taught language arts, social studies, math, science, and STEM lab in my local elementary school. Typically, 98%-100% of my students pass our state standardized state test at the end of 4th grade, the Ohio State Test. I am rated "accomplished," the highest and most distinguished rating through OTES, Ohio's Teacher Evaluation System.  

I believe learning needs to be engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, and FUN! I bring those experiences to the in-person learners in my physical classroom as well as to my learners in Outschool.


Leaves of Learning Academy has served over 7,100 learners to date on Outschool! The teachers with Leaves of Learning Academy are licensed and degreed professional educators with over 300 years of combined experience educating learners in a variety of settings. We are passionate about bringing the highest quality educational experiences to our learners. We strive to provide a welcoming, inclusive online classroom community where all learners' needs are met through a personalized approach to teaching and learning. We use research based instructional strategies to provide the highest quality and most effective learning opportunities for learners ages 5 through 12. Join a class and "come grow with us!"

All classes are designed and created by me, Kelly Hall, owner and founder of Leaves of Learning Academy. Our teachers go through rigorous training to assure that all classes are taught to the same level of quality no matter which one of our teachers is teaching it! I have strict hiring standards and strive to only hire teachers I would feel comfortable teaching my own children on Outschool.



Here is a summary of our over 900 parent reviews: 
💬 "Based on the reviews, the teacher or teacher organization excels in creating engaging, hands-on, and interactive classes that capture students' interest and facilitate effective learning. The reviews highlight the teachers' patience, kindness, and ability to explain concepts clearly while allowing students to participate actively. The use of various teaching methods, such as games, projects, and discussions, contributes to a fun and educational experience."

(This summary was AI-generated from parent reviews)



We are a team of dedicated teachers committed to engaging your learner in our online classrooms to support them in participating to their fullest level of comfort, taking risks, reaching their fullest potential, finding success, and SHINING!

🌟 Meet Our All Star Team! 🌟

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Uj-ioFqc4jWD3fbWlF7LhUzsyhm5eX6P6Imuzvai7og/edit?usp=sharing




👩‍🏫Stephanie Webster B.S.Ed.; M.Ed
Member of Leaves of Learning Admin Team
"Welcome to my online classroom! I am Miss Webster and I am so excited to provide engaging, fun, and interactive lessons for each learner that takes my classes on Outschool. I am eager to provide an opportunity and assist learners in being successful inside and outside the classroom!
 
I have been teaching elementary school for seven years.  My first year included tutoring reading and math to students in kindergarten up to sixth grade.  My other years I have taught language arts, science, and social studies to fourth and fifth grade students.  I have a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, as well as a teaching license in Early Childhood Education.  In addition, I completed over 100 hours in a reading summer camp to achieve my Reading Endorsement K-12.  I am licensed to teach preschool-fifth grade in all subject areas.  Throughout my years of teaching, I have been rated “accomplished,” which is the highest rating through Ohio’s Teacher Evaluation System.  In addition, this past year I have held the title for my grade level on our schools Building Leadership Team."


👩‍🏫Julie Herring B.S.Ed., M.Ed
Reading Specialist
"Hi!  My name is Mrs. Julie Herring.  I am super excited to be teaching on Outschool!  I currently teach 4th grade, and have taught 2nd, 5th and 6th grade, too.  This is my 16th  year teaching.  Prior to this, I spent 20 years in private supplemental teaching and tutoring. My favorite subjects are reading and math.  I believe that learning should be interactive and fun.  Students will be given an opportunity to build both confidence and skills.  My goal is to help all students reach their full potential.  I look forward to being part of your student's academic journey.

One fun fact about me is that I know how to juggle.  My students always are impressed and entertained by this in my classroom.  This year, my husband and I are learning to play pickleball.  Hiking and traveling are other hobbies we enjoy."



👩‍🏫Erica Diffenderfer B.S. Ed.; M.Ed.
Hello! I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2011 from Millersville University in Pennsylvania.  I then went on to pursue my Master's in Education from Wilkes University and graduated with a degree in Educational Development and Strategies.  I taught first grade for seven years in a public school district in Lancaster County, PA. Since 2018, I have been teaching students online for various online education programs. My goal with teaching children is that I strive to meet them at their level and tailor my teaching to meet their individual needs.


👩‍🏫Elena Meneses AA Early Childhood Ed.; B.S.Ed
Hello Outschool parents. My name is Elena. I am so honored to be able to teach your children. Online teaching has become my passion and I can't wait to meet you. I am originally from Ecuador and I moved to the USA about 10 years ago with my 2 kids and my husband. I have a Bachelor's in Education and an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. I've been a classroom teacher for over 22 years and I've been teaching online for 2 years now. I've taught over 3000 online students and 9000+ lessons. I enjoy learning from different cultures and sharing my culture with others. I've also had the opportunity to teach ELL students in classrooms and online and it always fascinates me the way children learn a second language so fast. When I was in the classroom I liked my lessons to be very interactive with a lot of movement and plenty of opportunities for students to communicate. This is the same approach I have when teaching online. I want the student to become part of the learning process and feel comfortable participating and asking questions. 


👩‍🏫Jenny Newman B.S.Ed.; M.Ed.
Welcome to my online classroom.  I am Miss Jenny and I am so excited to work with you through Outschool. My goal is to help learners reach their fullest potential through fun and engaging lessons. I have been teaching for 24 years. I have taught all subjects in 3rd - 5th grade. I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in curriculum and teacher leadership. I have obtained over 150 hours past my degrees which include my administrative license.  I am licensed to teach all subjects grades 1-8 and am licensed as a principal for pre-k - 12.  I have been a college facilitator and have presented at multiple conferences on the use of story telling, phonics, technology and personalized learning in the classroom.   Throughout my years of teaching, I have been rated "accomplished" which is the highest rating through Ohio's Teaching Evaluation System. I have also been my grade level representative on the Building Leadership Team for 12 years.


👩‍🏫Sara Wade 
B.A.; M.Ed. Special Ed.; E.Ds. Special Ed.
Hello! I’m Mrs. Sara Wade, and I’m thrilled to be a part of your learner’s educational journey. With 8 years of experience in the field of education, I bring a passion for empowering students to reach their full potential.

 As a young student, I grappled with comprehension and struggled to grasp vocabulary in context. However, I was fortunate to have a teacher who believed in me unwaveringly. Their support and encouragement gave me the confidence boost I needed to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

 I am committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive online learning environment, ensuring that every student feels valued and empowered to excel. My approach to teaching is grounded in empathy, patience, and a steadfast belief in the unique potential of every learner. Whether we’re dissecting literature, exploring historical events, or diving into complex mathematical concepts, I aim to spark curiosity and critical thinking skills in my learners. 


👩‍🏫Jill Oakes 
B.S. Ed.; M.Ed.
Hello and welcome to my online class! I am Miss Jill and we are going to have so much fun learning on Outschool! The goal for my students is to learn something new each class and enjoy doing it! I have been teaching for over 20 years –all of those years have been in elementary. I have taught grades preschool through 5th grade. I have taught 2nd grade for the past 15 years. I love watching my students work together to learn and to help each other when needed. I love seeing my kids become good citizens too! My Master’s is in literacy and I am also Orton Gillingham trained so reading and phonics are my favorites to teach. I understand that every child is unique. They learn in different ways and progress at various speeds. I bring that knowledge to my classroom and online for Outschool!



👩🏻‍🏫 Jessica Petelle
B.S. Ed.; M.Ed.
Hello Outschool families! I'm Jessica Petelle, and I've been teaching for 23 years, covering all subjects for grades 3-5. Currently, I specialize in teaching fourth-grade math and science. With a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a license to teach all subjects from first through eighth grade, I bring a wealth of expertise to my classes. My passion lies in cultivating a love for learning among my students through interesting and engaging activities. Building strong relationships with my students is a top priority for me, as it enhances their enjoyment of school and boosts their academic success. I'm excited to welcome you to my online classroom and embark on this learning journey together!