Kelley Cusmano is a high school English and student leadership teacher leader at Rochester High School in Rochester, Michigan. She is in her 20th year of teaching and has always believed in elevating and celebrating the voice of teachers and students. In 2005, Cusmano graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in history along with her teaching degree. Then, in 2009, she obtained a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Michigan State.  

In addition to her teaching position, Cusmano has served as a district secondary English language arts curriculum consultant for Rochester Community Schools since 2022. In March 2017, she was named Adviser of the Year by the Michigan Association of Student Councils. In 2016, she was an Association for Curriculum Development Emerging Leader and in 2018, she was part of a team of educators who organized the Governor’s Education and Talent Summit. Currently, she is an at-large representative for the Michigan ASCD organization and serves on the CEO Teacher Cabinet for the Teach Plus organization.  

Cusmano believes that all students deserve to have a high-quality education with caring teachers. She is passionate about sharing the joys and challenges of this profession and including student leadership programs in every school.