Beyond the Diamond: Kelly Levesque, BSEd '05, MSEd '06
When California native Kelly Levesque played her final game as a member of Baylor’s softball team in May 2004, staying in Texas was nowhere on her life and career checklist.
“To be completely honest, I wanted out of Texas as soon as possible,” Levesque says. “I didn’t want a Texas teaching certificate; I wanted nothing that would keep me in Texas. Yet, I had plans. And, God had different plans.”
Nearly 15 years later, Levesque still resides in the Lone Star State. And now, her family is in Texas. Her parents recently moved from California to Texas, and her brother Steven, BA ’06, lives in Abilene.
Levesque is in her second year as assistant principal at Woodway Elementary School, part of the Midway Independent School District, and her 14th year in Waco-area education.
A two-time, first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection, Levesque was accepted into Baylor’s Strickland Scholars program that allows students to earn a master’s degree in 15 months. Through the program, Levesque taught fourth grade at Waco’s Rapoport Academy.
“I fell in love with teaching,” she says. “As I got to know the students and the families in this community, that’s when I developed a love for this city.”
It was by God’s providence that Levesque came to Baylor. She began college at Louisiana State University, where she was a part of then-LSU head coach Glenn Moore’s final signing class.
She never played for Moore at LSU as he was hired as Baylor’s head coach months before her freshman year commenced. After one season at LSU, Levesque joined Moore and assistant coach Mark Lumley at Baylor.
“My decision to transfer to Baylor initially was solely based on them,” Levesque says. “They are incredible coaches, great role models, and great Christian men, and I knew I wanted to play for them. They helped mold me into who I am. But the resources at Baylor were great, and I loved the small community feel.”
Levesque, who spent much of her academic time at Baylor in the health, human performance and recreation department, says she appreciated the connection with her professors.
“They were involved with us in things outside the classroom, whether it was camping trips or spelunking or learning to play golf,” she says. “Getting to know my professors in that personal way made me feel welcomed and important, and it gave me a feeling that what I was doing would make a difference.”
After four years as a teacher at Rapoport Academy, Levesque faced another “never” on her life and career plans.
“I never wanted to go into coaching,” she says. “But that opportunity came at the right time, and I felt God was calling me back to softball.”
Levesque began teaching intermediate-school physical education and coaching softball for nearby China Spring ISD. After six years in that role, she transitioned into administration. Levesque was assistant principal at China Spring Intermediate for two years before moving to Woodway Elementary in 2017.
“It was time for me to take advantage of my leadership skills and move into a role where I could help teachers improve and sharpen their skills,” she says of her transition to administration. “I still have a daily impact with the students, but my focus is broader now. Instead of solely in a classroom, I now help lead a school.”
Levesque, whose mother was an elementary school librarian, enjoys seeing children develop their personalities and begin to understand life.
“In education, you don’t always get to see the reward,” she says. “You have the students for a while, and you don’t always see where they end up. But in this role I am able to be a part of their day-to-day successes, and it’s rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and the progress they are making.
“God’s call is to reach out and love those around us. If I can do that for a 5-year-old, and he or she can learn to extend that love and kindness to someone else, that’s fulfilling for me.”