KELLY'S SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATION
MRS. KELLY
PROFA. KELLY VARGAS
Founder and visionary of Kelly's School
Professor Esther "Kelly" Vargas Martínez, affectionately known as Mrs. Kelly, was a distinguished Puerto Rican educator and the founder of Kelly's School in Luquillo. With an innate passion for teaching, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a specialization in English and a Master of Arts in Education. In 1980, Mrs. Kelly established Kelly's School as a small tutoring center with only six students, five of whom were her own children. Thanks to her dedication and educational vision, the institution grew and obtained its first license from the Department of Public Instruction in the same year.
Over more than 40 years, Mrs. Kelly expanded the school's services, encompassing pre-kindergarten through secondary levels, and in 2002, it was accredited by the Commission on Accrediting Educational Institutions. Her leadership and commitment to educational excellence left an indelible mark on the educational community in Puerto Rico and beyond.
On August 24, 2023, Mrs. Kelly passed away, leaving a lasting legacy in Puerto Rican education. In recognition of her invaluable contributions, the Mayor of Luquillo, Jesús "Jerry" Márquez Rodríguez, declared three days of mourning in her honor. Additionally, in December 2022, Street 04 of the Brisas del Mar urbanization was named "Mrs. Kelly Vargas Martínez", perpetuating her legacy for future generations.
The life and work of Mrs. Kelly continue to inspire educators and students, reflecting her commitment to comprehensive development and educational excellence. Her legacy remains the fundamental pillar guiding Kelly's School in its mission to form responsible, ethical, and well-educated citizens.
DR. KAREN GUTIÉRREZ
DEL ARROYO
Kelly's School
Karen Gutiérrez del Arroyo Vargas has:
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Bachelor's Degree in Pre-Medical
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“Minor” in Education at the University Campus of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
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“Minor” in Fine Arts at the University Campus of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
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Master of Arts in Education with a specialty in Educational Management and Leadership from the Inter-American University of the Fajardo Campus, in Puerto Rico
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Doctorate in Education with a specialty in Global Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She was selected in 2007 by Dr. Margarita Velázquez Cosme in the seminar course for the Integration of Knowledge, offered at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico of the Graduate Education Program, where she participated under the Theme: On the way to a transformation in education. During the years 2005 to 2021, she has stood out as a community leader in the organization of educational, recreational and sporting events in Luquillo, Fajardo, Rio Grande, Loíza and Canóvanas.
She has managed the institution, Kelly's School, with optimal efficiency and effectiveness, maximizing the use of available resources and directing efforts toward direct service to students. For 26 years she has worked at Kelly's School as a teacher's assistant, theater teacher, family and consumer education teacher, producer of the Christmas Festival, Music Festival, Friendship Festival, Graduation, Honor Roll, among others. . She currently works as Executive Director of our Institution.
