Kelly Skinner

High School Honors Chemistry & AP Chemistry Teacher

For much of her life, Kelly Skinner imagined herself caring for animals as a veterinarian. “I loved science and animals, and I had wanted to be a vet since I was little,” she shared. But during college, she felt God leading her in a different direction. “I realized that I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to influence the lives of a greater number of people, and that I had a gift for teaching!”

Kelly’s journey has been filled with unique experiences. She and her family spent 13 years living overseas in Panama before returning to the States, where God opened the door for her to teach at Heritage. A graduate of Wheaton College with a degree in biology, Kelly now channels her love for science into the classroom each day.

“In my classroom I strive to make each student feel seen, known, and loved; and to use the fascinating field of chemistry to point my kids to our incredible, omniscient, omnipotent creator,” she explained.

Kelly sees her work as both a scientist and a teacher as an opportunity to reflect her faith. “As believers we should be incorporating our faith into every aspect of our lives, and I feel incredibly privileged to be a science teacher,” she said. For her, the science side means helping students recognize God’s attributes and His perfect care in the details of creation. The teacher side means investing daily in her students’ lives and striving to model what it looks like to live redeemed by Christ and transformed by grace.

Kelly is no stranger to Heritage. She’s a “Heritage lifer,” having attended from 1st through 12th grade. Today, she teaches alongside some of her own former teachers, has the joy of teaching her classmates’ children, and is a Heritage parent as well. “I’ve now experienced the school as a student, a teacher, and a parent!” she said.

Outside of the classroom, Kelly and her husband, Ryan, stay busy with their three children (Anna, Nora, and Jake) and with their two dogs, Lupita and Bear.

We’re so thankful for Kelly and the impact she’s having on our students here at Heritage!