Ritch S. Kelley
Associate Professor of Teacher Education (Early Childhood)
570.585.9293
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is antiquing. The older I get, the more of an appreciation I have for old things! I started collecting at the age of 11 after I found an old medicine bottle, which read Dr. Smith's Blood Purifier, 1850. Now I collect anything from furniture to old books. The oldest item I have is dated 1790. I am always on the lookout for old things, but the budget is not always ready!
What is your favorite book?
Next to God's Word, the book that has made the biggest impact on my life would be A Promise Kept by Dr. Robertson McQuilkin. In his book, Dr. McQuilkin shares the lessons he has learned as he has cared for his wife who suffers from Alzheimer's. In our wedding vows, we promise to be faithful in sickness and in health. Dr. McQuilkin shares in his book the privilege he has found in "keeping his promise." What brings this book so close to my heart is that my father fell from a tree five years ago and broke two vertebra in his neck, which has left him in a wheelchair and in need of constant care. As I have watched my own mother "keeping her promise," I have a greater appreciation for my mother and Dr. McQuilkin's story.
Family:
I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world! Her name is Diana J. Kelley, and she is my best friend and my wife! She teaches sixth grade at Summit Christian Academy. I have two super children: Patrick Blair is my oldest, and he is our 12-year-old budding artist. Allison Nichole is our 10-year-old budding cartoonist. I also have a Shi Tzu called Biscuit.
Further Information:
This is my fourth year at BBC, and I truly love it here. God has blessed me in that I am able to do all the things I love. As chair of the Education department, I get to work closely with the wonderful education faculty, interact with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, supervise student teachers, and teach eight different education classes. It is a joy to help prepare young people who want to minister via being a teacher.
Education:
B.S., Liberty University
M.Ed., Ed.D., The Pennsylvania State University