We are sad to report that elementary school teacher Kelly Peterson of Winter Haven, Florida, succumbed to Covid-19 on August 23, 2021. She was unable to get vaccinated because she had leukemia, which caused a compromised immune system. Photo credit: World Socialist Web Site.

We are greatly saddened to report that yet another beloved educator has succumbed to Covid-19. Kelly Peterson, an elementary school teacher in Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on August 23, 2021. She was only 41 years old.

Because she had leukemia which caused a compromised immune system, Kelly was not able to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, the teacher had been diligent in taking precautions against COVID by wearing a mask, even though Florida Governor Ronald DeSantis issued a statewide order to ban mask mandates. She also washed her hands frequently and wiped down devices and equipment when her students left each day. “She did everything she could to try to stay away from COVID,” recalled colleague Lorinda Utter.

Kelly taught fifth grade math and science at Lake Shipp Elementary School in the Polk County Public School System. According to her sister, Christin Peterson, Kelly’s career as an educator spanned more than two decades, and during that time, she had been named Teacher of the Year more than once.

“She always had former students who would come visit and tell her how much she influenced them,” remembered Christin. “If there were problem children, typically they’d end up in her classroom because she was the one who was able to break through and get through to them in a way the kids would trust her,” Christin continued. “She had a natural teaching ability that so many of her peers were in awe of. She just had the ability to connect with the kids. They knew she really did care,” Christin concluded.

To read more about Kelly Peterson, see this article about her published in The Ledger.