Here is a positive story on a KELLAM! To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58755-2000Nov26.html Janet Kellam, Ridge Elementary in St. Mary's County By Nancy Trejos Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, November 26, 2000 ; Page M03 Three Southern Maryland principals were among 18 school administrators honored last week with The Washington Post's Distinguished Leadership Awards. The honors are given annually to those educators who day after day go beyond the expectations of their highly demanding professions to create exceptional educational environments. At Monday's awards ceremony Post Chairman Donald E. Graham noted that a common theme for many of those recognized was the principals' high aspirations for their schools and students. Janet Kellam began her education career at Ridge Elementary, and that is exactly where she says she probably will end it. There were stops at other schools, but eventually all roads led back to Ridge, where Kellam also lives. "I've made a complete circle," she said. Her journey began in 1969, when she became a classroom teacher at Ridge after raising her four children. After five years, she moved on to teach at Lexington Park and Carver elementary schools. In 1983, she switched to the administrative end, becoming a principal at Park Hall Elementary. She was principal of one other St. Mary's school before returning to Ridge Elementary in 1993. "It was exciting to come back to the community I lived in," she said. Kellam was born in the District and grew up in Montgomery County. She and her husband moved to St. Mary's County after he grew enchanted with the area during his frequent fishing trips there. Being a mother is what inspired Kellam to pursue teaching. While her children were in school, she was a regular volunteer. "As a parent of four children, I had to be interested in education," she said. That interest led her to pursue a bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate in education from the University of Maryland. As principal of Ridge, Kellam said she has one main objective. "As far as students are concerned, we have to help them develop into responsible, productive citizens," she said. She said she has tried to do that by helping create an after-school program for students in grades 3 to 5. "We have to help children develop some responsible, gainful ways to occupy their non-school time so that ultimately they will not choose negative alternatives," she said. At Ridge, she also has helped implement a reading incentive program; overseen a pilot program that created a group of teachers, psychologists and counselors to discuss ways to help students at risk of failure; and initiated policies to give staff members more responsibilities in making internal decisions. "I really believe that you need to listen to your staff," she said. "I get good ideas from them." At 67, Kellam could retire but she has no intention of doing that just yet. She does, however, believe that after Ridge, there is nowhere else she wants to go. "I think coming back to Ridge as a principal," she said, "is probably the last stop in my career." © 2000 The Washington Post