Cypress Elementary Teacher Publishes New Poetry Book

Elmo Kelley, a second-grade teacher at Cypress Elementary School in Fontana, has published two poetry collections, with his latest, 'Traveling Through My Mind: Volume 2,' released in June. His poetry explores themes of love, loss, and humor, while also engaging his students in creative writing; this year, they collaborated on a poetry book titled 'My Favorite Foods.' Kelley, who has been teaching since 1998, aims to inspire young poets by encouraging them to be descriptive and creative in their writing. Meanwhile, Naumann Elementary's art teacher, Haley Kim, fosters connections with her students through a unique welcome routine that promotes sharing and engagement. Additionally, high school students like Emma Ventresca are innovating theater by writing and directing original musicals that challenge the status quo of mainstream productions. These efforts highlight the vibrant creative environments fostered in schools across various disciplines.