Coming into the 2025-2026 school year, there are many new adjustments. Several new teachers are joining the staff. Among them is Kerry Conley, who is teaching family and consumer sciences in room 110.
Conley is a Highlands High School alum who has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Organizational Communications from Miami University, and a Master’s in teaching from the University of the Cumberlands.
Before pursuing a career in teaching, she worked in the corporate and non-profit sectors. Between roles, she also held various nannying positions, which gave her valuable experience working closely with families and children. After exploring different career paths, she discovered her passion for education and made the transition into teaching three years ago. While her original career path wasn’t in education, her experience helped her discover a strong calling to the classroom.
This year, Conley is teaching several courses, including Intro to Family Consumer Sciences for middle schoolers and FCS Essentials for eighth graders and high school students. Her classes emphasize a wide range of subjects, including human development and family science, personal finance, housing and interior design, nutrition and food science, textiles and apparel, wellness, and early childhood and child development. She is passionate about making learning meaningful and engaging for her students.
“I try to make lessons relevant and applicable to real life,” she said, “when students can see how something connects to their interests, they’re much more invested in learning it.”
What Conely enjoys most about teaching high school students is the opportunity to support them during a critical stage in their lives: “High school can be overwhelming, and I love being a support system for my students,” she said. “I want them to know it’s okay to not have everything figured out. I encourage them to try new things and experiences and go with their gut.”
Outside the classroom, Conley enjoys attending live music concerts, traveling, and hiking. She’s also a dedicated volunteer, especially passionate about animal rescue and sustainability efforts. One fun fact her students are often surprised to learn about is that she once nannied for the rock band Kings of Leon.
Returning to Highlands has been a meaningful experience for Conley, both professionally and personally.
“I love that I’m reminded of the incredible resources we have here because it’s clear how much Highlands offers its students, not just academically but in making them feel seen, heard, and safe,” Conley explained.
Overall, she is excited to give back to Highlands and to help students navigate their own paths.
