e-mail this page
Printer Friendly Version

Alumni Profile: Cary Kelly, ’88

Sac State has produced a number of characters in its time but perhaps none like Cary Kelly.

Kelly, who received her teaching and library credentials from the University in the 1980s, is the lower school librarian at Sacramento Country Day School. She’s also Scarecrow Clod Strawbottom, Lady Beatrice Teaselpaw, the Cat in the Hat and a number of other characters inspired by the many books on her shelves. Kelly has a closet full of costumes, props and stage makeup at her disposal to help her transformations. Her goal is to inspire her students to love reading, learning and the library.

“When I become a character,” Kelly says, “the students are totally engaged. The youngest are wide-eyed and giggling, thinking that they are so clever to have guessed it is Mrs. Kelly under the wig. In their minds, it is permission to be creative, theatrical and a little wild and crazy. The learning takes on a new dimension.”

Kelly grew up in Fresno but graduated with a master’s in fine arts degree from the University of Utah. Her interest was in dance, not library science, and after graduation, she danced professionally with Ballet West in Salt Lake City for 10 years. The love of dance came naturally for the niece of Deane and Barbara Crockett, who founded the Sacramento Ballet in the mid-50s.

Kelly moved back to Sacramento in 1975 and danced with the Sacramento Ballet for a season. She also taught part time at Sac State and decided that teaching was something she wanted to do full-time. In 1985, she enrolled in the teacher credentialing program on campus.

Kelly earned her credentials over the span of three years, coming one night a week. “I came on campus mostly in the evenings and had a wonderful experience,” she says. “It was classes, coffee, and conversations about books, curriculum and kids. I met such outstanding colleagues. We still keep in touch and network.”

After receiving her credentials, she began working at Sacramento Country Day School as a sixth-grade teacher and in 2000 became the librarian.

Kelly says she was blessed to have had the opportunity to dance professionally. However, she says, “Being a librarian is the world’s best job and every bit as exhilarating and rewarding as dancing.”