Buford High School Alumni — Then and Now: Kelley Kirkland, Class of 2005

Kelley Outler Kirkland is a 2005 graduate of Buford High School who is now making an impact on campus as a 9th grade Language Arts and Advanced Placement Language and Composition teacher.  

Daughter of Donna Beard of Buford, Kirkland was a “lifer” in the Buford City School System, attending Buford schools from Kindergarten through graduation.  Her fondest memories center around her participation in the arts program, specifically theater.  As a member of the National Art Honor Society and Thespian, she was also awarded Best New Actress Freshman Year and Best Actress in a Full Length during her sophomore, junior, and senior years.  Additionally, her classmates voted her “most talented” and “one of a kind” for senior superlatives.  

As she reflects on her time as a student at Buford, Kirkland speaks highly of her former teachers, including long-time Buford High School Geometry teacher Bonnie Davis. Kirkland says, “She taught me that it wasn’t my brain that was the problem; I just needed a teacher to present the material the right way.” 

Additionally, Kirkland smiles recalling Mrs. Kim Staples, who Kirkland credits with giving her “a home away from home” in the world of theater.  Kirkland recalls falling off the stage during a performance of “Our Town” and laughing, “My wig fell off!” Kirkland also adds, “I am fond of all my memories performing on stage.  I made lifelong friends and found myself completely in my element for the very first time.  I went on to participate in community theater abroad and direct student productions at my previous school, Fulton Science Academy Private School.”

Kirkland also recognizes her Advanced Placement Literature teacher, Mr. Tim Harris, for putting her on the path to become a teacher, noting that he “gave me confidence in myself as a writer.”  Mr. Harris is now Dr. Tim Harris who serves Buford City Schools as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  Kirkland says, “When I took AP Literature with Mr. Harris, I didn’t know it at the time, but it set me on a certain trajectory that would lead me where I am today.”  

Upon graduation in 2005, Kirkland earned the Hope scholarship and stayed local to attend Georgia State, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English.  She then moved to South Korea for two years where she taught English in a public elementary school before returning to the States and enrolling at Kennesaw State University, earning a Masters in Secondary English Education.  

Kirkland and her husband Jay, of Blackshear, GA, live in Gainesville with their two young girls, Zetta (age 4) and Azalea, or Azie (16 months).  They are active members of the Cystic Fibrosis Georgia Chapter. “We fundraise annually for the foundation,” Kirkland said. “We hope to give our daughter, Zetta, a CF fighter, the absolute best quality of life.” 

When she and her family aren’t actively working to help fundraise for Cystic Fibrosis Georgia, Kirkland enjoys hiking, traveling, writing poetry and reading. 

In addition to teaching, she leads the “Poetry Out Loud” competition at BHS, which gives students the opportunity to create and perform original poetry.  The competition recently sent a student on to the state competition, placing second.

For the past four years, Kirkland has been teaching at Buford High School.  Kirkland is glad to be back in the school system that made such an influence on her life, stating, “I feel grateful to be able to give back to the community that poured into me.”