FORISTELL, MO, September 30, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kelly M. McDonough, MEd, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. McDonough's distinguished career in education spans nearly three decades and reflects a steadfast commitment to students with disabilities, their families, and the educators who serve them. Since beginning her career in education in 1997, she has worked in a variety of instructional, student-support, and teacher-leadership capacities, with the majority of her career devoted to special education. Since 2003, she has served as a teacher with the Special School District of St. Louis County, where her work has included classroom instruction, specialized teacher leadership, and individualized education program (IEP) development.

Throughout her career, Ms. McDonough has taken on numerous specialized responsibilities that reflect the many roles educators fulfill in supporting students and schools. In addition to her work as a classroom teacher and IEP Writer, she has served as a Department Chairperson, Data Team Leader, Standards-Based IEP Teacher Leader, KidSmart Teacher Liaison, Work Experience Coordinator, and Homebound Department Teacher Trainer. She has also taken on student-support and school leadership responsibilities in areas commonly associated with counseling, health support, social work, and administration. Rather than functioning as separate professional disciplines, these responsibilities represent the many hats she has worn as an educator throughout her career. Together, they have provided her with a broad understanding of the academic, behavioral, social, vocational, and educational needs of students with disabilities.

As an IEP Writer, Ms. McDonough specializes in developing accurate, compliant, and highly individualized educational plans that reflect students' unique needs, strengths, goals, and services. Her work combines extensive knowledge of special education requirements with a practical understanding of classroom instruction and student support. During the 2025–2026 school year alone, she completed more than 70 IEPs and more than 55 IEP amendments and corrections, helping educational teams develop meaningful plans while maintaining compliance with state and federal requirements.

Ms. McDonough has also played a significant role in advancing special education practices within the district. During a period of substantial changes to postsecondary transition planning, including the implementation of transition requirements beginning in the middle school years, she provided mentorship and guidance to educators regarding compliance, data collection, transition assessments, and documentation. Her ability to support educators with extensive experience of their own reflects the depth of knowledge she has developed throughout her career.

One of Ms. McDonough's notable professional accomplishments occurred during her work with the Jennings School District, where she played an instrumental role in supporting the district through individual IEP compliance with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) review. Her efforts contributed to the district achieving a historic milestone of fully compliant IEPs following years of state-mandated remedial training addressing recurring compliance errors. The accomplishment represented a significant improvement in the quality and accuracy of special education documentation and reflected her commitment to establishing systems that better serve students and educators.

Ms. McDonough was also selected as one of only three teachers from a district of more than 2,000 educators to launch a specialized IEP Writer Pilot Program. Now in its fourth year, the initiative has evolved into an important component of the district's approach to supporting IEP development. Ms. McDonough remains one of the four continuing participants and has contributed to the program through her expertise, problem-solving skills, leadership, and commitment to mentoring other educators.

Ms. McDonough's contributions to education have been recognized throughout her career. She was featured in Who's Who Among American Teachers, appearing in the 9th, 10th, and 11th Editions, reflecting recognition of her professional contributions as an educator. More recently, her work has been recognized through two Cause For Applause Awards from the Special School District of St. Louis County. She received her first award in 2023, during the inaugural year of the IEP Writer Pilot Program, when she was recognized as a foundational leader driving positive impact. In 2025, she received the honor again following a colleague's nomination recognizing both her precision and her humanity in serving students and supporting fellow educators.

Ms. McDonough began her professional journey in 1997 as a tutor with Blue Hills Homes Corporation, working directly with children and families in need of academic support. In 1999, she transitioned to the Special School District of St. Louis County as a paraprofessional, gaining valuable experience working alongside educators and supporting students with disabilities. She subsequently served as a special education teacher with the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 2001 to 2003 before returning to the Special School District of St. Louis County as a teacher in 2003, where she has continued to build her career in special education.

Ms. McDonough's educational background has played an important role in shaping her professional achievements. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 1999 and a Master of Education in special education from Webster University in 2006. She also earned K–12 special education certification from Webster University in 2006. Her education in psychology and special education has provided her with both the theoretical foundation and practical expertise necessary to navigate complex educational environments and advocate effectively for students.

Ms. McDonough's decision to pursue a career in education was influenced by personal experiences during childhood, particularly several teachers who provided crucial support, encouragement, and guidance during a challenging period in her life. Their belief in her abilities helped instill a lasting appreciation for the profound influence educators can have on a child's future. Inspiration also came from one of her older sisters, now a retired educator, who helped shape Ms. McDonough's early interest in teaching and psychology.

Professional involvement has remained an important part of Ms. McDonough's career. She maintains active involvement with the Special District National Education Association and the Missouri National Education Association. Earlier in her career, she participated in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and completed professional workshops through the Association for Play Therapy.

A hallmark of Ms. McDonough's career is her steadfast advocacy for students, families, and fellow educators. She consistently upholds high expectations for all learners while recognizing the individualized supports necessary for students to reach their potential. Her approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful educational planning requires both precision and compassion, with every decision ultimately centered on the student.

As she looks toward the future, Ms. McDonough plans to continue contributing to education and special education advocacy before eventually transitioning into the next chapter of her professional life. Following her retirement from education, she intends to devote greater time to her work as a Melaleuca product advocate, with the goal of advancing to director status. This next chapter will allow her to continue pursuing her long-standing passion for helping others while developing a business focused on wellness, personal growth, and service.

From her early work as a tutor and paraprofessional to her years as a special education teacher and her subsequent leadership in IEP development, Ms. McDonough has consistently sought to strengthen educational practices and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Throughout nearly three decades in education, she has demonstrated that effective advocacy requires not only knowledge and precision, but also compassion, persistence, leadership, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. As she looks ahead, she intends to carry those same values of service and empowerment into the next chapter of her life.

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