Updated Acceptance Dates

Acceptance letter dates for McKeel Academy Mulberry have been updated to match our other schools. The corrected dates are as follows:

McKeel Academy of Technology: February 2, 2026
Preschool (MAC, MAM, SMA): February 2, 2026

McKeel Academy Central: February 9, 2026
McKeel Academy Mulberry: February 9, 2026
South McKeel Academy: February 9, 2026

Kristine Nelson

Kristine Nelson

3rd Grade Team

Welcome to the 2025- 26 school year, Wildcats!  Since graduating from Wheaton College in the Chicago area with a B.A. in Elementary Education, I have had the privilege of teaching preschoolers, third graders, and fourth grade students for twenty-eight years in the states of Illinois, California, New Mexico, and Florida. I am trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading and I also hold my Reading Endorsement. Third grade is truly a magical year in the life of a child!

Author Elizabeth Hardwick has written, "The greatest gift is a passion for reading."  This quote describes one of the core attributes of my classroom.  In addition to becoming passionate readers, my students will become community service-minded, critical thinkers, effective problem solvers, creative writers, and strong leaders in our learning community. 

The theme of our classroom this year is "Throw Kindness Around like Confetti" and I know my students will learn to share kindness with others around them. I find great joy in inspiring my students to reach their potential and in helping them to understand the difference they can make in the world. We are going to have an incredible year in third grade!