Ellen is a dedicated educator and also a faithful Parishioner of Notre Dame Catholic Church. She is always on a mission to challenge her students and colleagues to find creative ways to not only be engaged in learning about our world, but to learn and respect the many special cultures of our society. In addition to the classroom, Ellen has led her Destination Imagination teams past and present into First Place regional awards and State and Global competition status. Last year, Mrs. Kenalty was nominated by the DAR and won 3rd Place in a State Competition as “Outstanding Teacher of American History”. Just last week, Mrs. Kenalty won First Place in a National Level Competition for her 250th Boston Massacre entry. The awards and recognition at the State and National Level go on and on! We are truly blessed to have such an outstanding teacher at Notre Dame. Finally, Ellen writes that her favorite scripture verse is Phillippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” She says, “God has enabled me to do whatever He wants me to do. I know that by putting my trust in God, asking him for His help, and giving thanks to Him for the successes He sends, that all things are possible. When we find what the will of God is for our life and do what is asked of us, we achieve success. This verse has been of great strength for me as well as comfort as I continue my walk with Him. There have been doors that have opened and closed, especially in recent years that I have been able to weather and grow from, because He strengthens me.”