A Shared Calling
Written by Sean Riedel (’19, ’21 M.J.)
How Alumni Kelley and Joey McGee Found Purpose in Education and Community Through UNT
When Kelley (’09) and Joey (’17) McGee met as UNT students, neither could have known their shared commitment to education would one day impact countless students across Denton and beyond. Today, the couple continues to shape the community they first fell in love with through their work in schools, mentorship and involvement with UNT programs.
Introduced through a mutual friend while students at UNT, the couple soon discovered a shared passion for education, service and community. During their time at UNT and throughout their careers, they encouraged one another as they pursued paths that ultimately led both of them into education.
“After my freshman year at UNT, I switched my major from communication design to visual arts studies,” Kelley says. “I wanted to make a difference and love the opportunity of teaching children to problem solve, create and make things they didn’t think were possible. Teaching art is the best job in the world, and I’m so thankful for all of my years in the classroom.”
Kelley says Jeff Broome, a former professor in the UNT Department of Art Education, played an impactful role on her journey to becoming a teacher.
“He taught the secondary art education classes in CVAD, and did an outstanding job preparing me for the classroom,” she says. “Dr. Broome is an outstanding professor and art educator, and I am thankful to still collaborate and see him at the National Art Education Association Convention.”
While Joey explored several different majors during his time at UNT, he was working in the hospitality management when he took a break from school to work in restaurant management.
When he returned to school a few years later, he knew he wanted to be an educator and worked as a substitute teacher while completing his degree.
While Kelley found her calling in arts education, Joey took a less direct path before discovering his own passion for teaching. Although their journeys looked different, both were driven by a desire to make a difference in students’ lives.
Like Kelley, Joey found mentors at UNT who reinforced his desire to make a difference through education — like Steven Cobb, who was his social studies and ethics professor and now serves as the interim dean of the UNT College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
“Going back to school to become a teacher is what I always wanted to do,” Joey says. “Dr. Cobb was impactful in the way that he taught about why social studies is important to teach and why it is important for our future.”
Kelley now serves as the assistant director of fine arts for Denton I.S.D.
“I get to make sure kids have every opportunity to grow as individuals through fine arts each and every day,” she says. “Students learn so much in their fine arts classes and the most rewarding element of my work is student success and community support.”
After completing his UNT degree in 2017, Joey earned a master’s degree before teaching elementary education in Denton and later moving into counseling.
Like Kelley, he found fulfillment in helping students reach their potential. Today, both have built careers centered on supporting students and strengthening their community.
“I love my job. My campus and team work so hard together and support student success in school,” Joey says. “I get to go to work and have fun, collaborate with others, teach kids so that they have great opportunities to learn and support families. I hope to have had an impact on all of the students that I have worked with.”
Through their work in schools, mentorship of future educators and dedication to the Denton community, the McGees continue to carry forward the impact UNT had on their own lives.
“Education is a vital part of our world,” Kelley says. “Giving kids opportunities and systems for teachers to support student growth is so important to me. I hope the kids I’ve taught over the years know they are creative and that they can think outside the box to make the world a better place. And I hope that we have had an impact on the whole community by supporting opportunities and advocating for student participation and access to fine arts programs for all.”