- About me
I'm Kelly Fogwell, Media Artist & Educator
Storytelling, curriculum, and creative practice
rooted in narrative, community, and collaboration.
I am a media artist and educator working at the intersection of storytelling, instruction, and community-based practice. My work focuses on developing narrative voice—both in my own documentary projects and in guiding students to create thoughtful, original work grounded in lived experience.
With a background spanning film production, secondary, and post-secondary education, I design learning environments that balance technical skill-building with critical thinking, collaboration, and creative risk-taking.
I have a professional background that bridges media production and education. With an MA in Film, and as a Film Teacher and 12th Grade Team Lead at New Harmony High School, I developed and implemented curriculum focused on editing, narrative structure, and collaborative production, while also working with faculty and leadership to support broader academic and programmatic goals.
My work has included building partnerships with organizations such as NOVAC and the Cool Cooperative to connect students with working artists and real-world production experiences. I led students through the creation of a cultural documentary as part of the Louisiana Legacy project, guiding them from concept development through production culminating in a public screening at the New Orleans Film Festival. While I provide structure and mentorship, I prioritize student ownership of creative work.
In addition to my work in education, I maintain an active creative practice. I am currently in post-production on two independent documentary projects—one a personal narrative exploring my experience with a life-altering medical condition in childhood, and the other a cultural piece reflecting on a protest in my Appalachian hometown that drew international attention. These projects inform my teaching by grounding it in current creative work, ethical consideration, and the realities of the production process.
My commitment to arts education is also personal. I attended the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati, where I experienced firsthand the impact of rigorous, pre-professional arts training at the secondary level. It is a unique moment in students’ development—when they are still forming their identities, yet capable of sophisticated creative work—and I am committed to creating environments that challenge and support them in that process.
I am particularly interested in collaborative program development and in contributing to educational environments that are both artistically rigorous and community-centered. My experience working across teams, building curriculum, and coordinating projects has shaped my approach as both an educator and a team leader within organizations.
I am particularly interested in how media can help individuals and communities make meaning—whether through personal narrative, cultural documentation, or collaborative production. In both my teaching and creative work, I emphasize collaboration, process, rigor, and the responsibility that comes with shaping and sharing stories.
Teaching & Mentorship
I design and lead project-based learning environments that balance technical skill development with narrative thinking, collaboration, and creative risk-taking. My approach emphasizes student ownership, critical engagement, and the development of individual voice.
The Highlight Reel:
- Documentary filmmaking project with students
- Curriculum development
- Student showcase events
- Prepared students for industry-based-credentials in Premiere Pro and Project Management
- Ongoing mentorship with graduates
High School Media Arts Teacher &
12th Grade Team Lead
New Harmony High School
2022 - 2025
Taught high school film production and digital storytelling while helping lead the 12th grade teaching team. Instruction focused on documentary storytelling, media production, and career-ready creative skills.
In addition to classroom instruction, I develop curriculum and programs that integrate real-world production experiences, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and evolving media technologies.
Project Management & Film Teacher, 12th Grade Team Lead, Advisor
July 2022 – May 2025
Film & Media Instruction
- Taught students Adobe Premiere Pro and digital editing workflows in preparation for an industry-based credential exam.
- Program pass rate reached 25% in the first year and 33% in the second year while the course and curriculum were still being developed.
Curriculum Development & Instructional Leadership
- Developed film and media production curriculum emphasizing documentary storytelling and project-based learning. Collaborated with NOVAC on editing curriculum.
- Created ACT preparation and student portfolio lessons in collaboration with grade-level teachers.
- Worked with school leadership to implement shared instructional practices and coordinate senior-year academic support.
Community Partnerships
Developed partnerships that connected students with working professionals in film and creative industries.
Partners included:
- NOVAC
- Cool Collective
- McKinley Studios
- Junior Achievement
- RicRack
- Material Institute
- Rooted School
These collaborations brought guest speakers, mentorship opportunities, and field trips into the program.
Middle School Language Arts Teacher and Department Chair
Middle School Language Arts Teacher, Jacksonville, Florida
2003 – 2012
- Middle school English teacher with extensive experience supporting diverse learners, developing writing curriculum, and contributing to school leadership initiatives. Recognized for strong student achievement and collaborative work with colleagues, parents, and district leadership.
Certifications & Credentials
- Florida Professional Certificate – English (Grades 6–12)
- Florida ESOL Certificate
- Florida Gifted Endorsement
- Rated Highly Qualified in English (Grades 6–12) under NCLB
- CET Certified (Teacher Mentor)
Student Achievement
- 99% of students passed the FCAT Writing Exam (2008–2009) compared to a 58% district average and 61% state average, including ESOL and students with special learning needs.
- 98% of students passed the FCAT Writing Exam (2007–2008) compared to a 57% district average and 60% state average.
- Ranked in the top quartile of Duval County language arts teachers for student FCAT reading gains in 2006–2007 and 2010–2011.
Leadership & School Service
- English Department Chair (2009–2012)
Collaborated with department chairs and district staff to guide curriculum planning, reading and writing standards, and assessment practices. - Professional Learning Committee
Represented the English department in monthly meetings with school and district leadership to develop professional development and align curriculum across grade levels. - Leadership Committee Member (2006–2007)
Participated in shared decision-making and communicated faculty concerns and updates between teaching teams and school leadership.
Professional Development Leadership
- Led a faculty book study of Fair Isn’t Always Equal, facilitating professional development on differentiated instruction and equitable assessment practices.
Parent & Student Engagement
- Maintained strong communication with families through electronic communication, student agendas, and phone outreach, fostering productive partnerships that supported student learning.
Film 1010: Aesthetics and AnalysisGeorgia State University
2014
Instructor of Record
x1: Summer 2014 (30 students)Introductory course in film analysis with heavy writing emphasis
Speech 1000 - Introduction to Human CommunicationGeorgia State University
2013
Instructor of Recordx5: Spring 2013 (two sections of 35 students); Fall 2013 (one section of 35 students); Spring 2014 (two sections of 35 students)Part of core curriculum. Hybrid with online component developed by Pearson.
Interpersonal CommunicationGeorgia State University
2013
Course Designer and Instructor of Recordx1: Fall 2013 (one section of 35 students)Upper-level class on components of interpersonal communicationDigital & Media Projects
Storytelling & Media Projects
My work often centers on storytelling across media, including documentary film,
audio production, and screenwriting and memoir. Many of these projects involved interviewing
community members and shaping narrative stories for public audiences. With the evolving media landscaping, I seek to learn and innovate by engaging with current trends.
Click blue titles to view products.
Co-creatorThe Big Reveal – Short Documentary
Co-created a short documentary exploring the Atlanta burlesque troupe Musee du Couer. Collaborated on research, interviews, and storytelling as part of a Community-Based Media Production project.
Feature Documentary – Writer & Production Assistant
Contributed research, writing, and production support for a feature-length documentary broadcast in Cincinnati, Ohio. Assisted with story development, location scouting, interview preparation, and production logistics.
Audiobook Narration – The Marble Queen
Recorded a full audiobook narration of The Marble Queen, published on Audible and Amazon. The project involved script interpretation, vocal storytelling, and audio recording coordination.
Writing Recognition – Time Magazine
Selected by Time Magazine during National Novel Writing Month for a winning first-line entry in a national writing competition.
Writing Samples
Screenplay
I have written a romantic comedy, a 30-page treatment for an adaptation of The Last Madam by Chris Wiltz, and a pilot for a single-camera, one-hour historical drama based on Storyville. (A writing sample is available upon request.)
Logline: In 1905, in the cradle of jazz, when voodoo and corruption reign supreme, 16-year-old Beulah fends off dangerous johns, unscrupulous madams, and even her own brother on her first day on the job in New Orleans's red-light district, Storyville.
I approach my academic writing from a feminist stance, with particular interest in how women are framed onscreen (see sample). I've written about the close-up in Thelma and Louise and I explored the issue of female viewing pleasure and masquerade in Mad Men.Community Collaboration & Leadership
My work extends beyond the classroom through partnerships with community organizations, collaboration with faculty,
and the development of programs that connect students to broader creative and professional networks.
Dudes with Donuts
Student Reading Initiative
Created a voluntary early-morning reading program for middle school boys who were at risk of disengaging from reading. The weekly program fostered a relaxed, supportive environment for reading and discussion, and quickly became student-driven as participants began volunteering to sustain the program themselves.
Special Event Programming
Designed and coordinated large-scale themed events, including private movie premiere gatherings for client communities of 125+ attendees. Events combined entertainment experiences with curated product offerings to create memorable community experiences while generating strong audience participation.
Community Events & Client Engagement
Planned and hosted regular community-based events and workshops for a client community of more than 1,000 participants across email, SMS, and social platforms. Events ranged from small group gatherings to larger themed events designed to strengthen relationships and sustain long-term engagement.
Cultural Community Participation
Krewe of Dolly Member
Active participant in New Orleans cultural organizations and parade krewes, contributing to collaborative community events that celebrate local culture and shared traditions.
Relay for Life Team Leader
School Team Captain
Organized and led a school participation team for the Relay for Life fundraiser. Coordinated communication and participation among staff and community while supporting the event’s fundraising and awareness goals. Organized and executed an auction by soliciting local businesses and collaborated with a local salon who gave our team proceeds from their "cut-a-thon."
MS 150 – Charity Cycling Event
Participant
Participated in the MS 150 charity cycling event supporting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for two years. The event brings together community members and volunteers to raise funds and awareness for MS research and support programs.
- Education
Teaching Certification
I have held a professional teaching certificate from Florida and am eligible for a Louisiana Teaching Certificate.
Florida Department of Education Teaching Certificate #907041
Career Evolution Reflections
Communicator. Educator. Marketing Strategist.
Early Adopter of Writing
When my dental appointment reminder card arrived in the mail, at age two, I insisted to my mother that I needed to write back to my dentist. He kept my letter, filled with X's and O's - not hugs and kisses, just the only letters I could write - and showed it to me when I turned 18.
At age nine, I started my first newspaper. I collaborated with a friend by having her mail me her columns, which I then laid out beside mine. My mom was our typist, very generous of her considering the pay was abysmmal.
Over-Acheiver and Early Adopter
(of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
In high school, I was the editor of my school paper and learned a Page Maker, a graphic design program that ushered us into the modern era, taking us from analog to digital layout. I was the president of the drama program and vice-president of National Honor Society, a cheerleader, and on the yearbook staff. I maxed out the opportunities provided by my small, Appalachian-Ohio school.
And while I dabbled in biology (before realizing the limits of my dyscalculia), I changed majors to Communication, my natural habitat. It's no wonder I thrived here. With internships in event planning and film/television, I saw where my strengths lie and have continued in much the same vein throughout my career, vaccillating between jobs that are strictly communication, and those involving education and public service.
Teacher, Leader, Strategist
Having spent the bulk of my career in education, I can say without hesitation that I love being a teacher. There's nothing so thrilling as seeing students make connections and create something entirely new because of what they've learned in my classroom.
Where I can best serve the organization of my employ is by acting formally or informally as a leader and a strong collaborator and communicator who helps diffuse conflict diplomatically and thoughtfully and who brings people together, galvanizing stakeholders to reach a common goal by delivering a consistent message, thus building consensus and support. I'm considerate and meticulous in my work, pushing the boundaries of my knowledge and abilities.
Recently, I taught myself to build a website using a new platform, and to "float" a wall to repair drywall damage. I'm not perfect at either yet, but I jumped in fearlessly and completed both. I bring that same initiative, capability, willingness and positivity to all of my endeavors.
- ContactLet's connect.
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