Teacher Feature - Kelly Gandy
Cindy Fisher

The Black Belt News Network is proud to present Teacher Feature, a storytelling series that highlights the extraordinary work of teachers and educators across the Black Belt. Each week, we shine a light on an outstanding educator who has been nominated by their school or community for the difference they make in the lives of students.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance your favorite teacher deserves to be recognized. Nominees receive a short questionnaire and are invited to share a photo, giving the community a closer look at the people shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

Our second teacher to spotlight is Kelly Gandy, a computer science teacher at Demopolis High School.

Have a teacher you admire at a school in the Black Belt? We want to hear about them. Nominate an amazing educator in your community by answering the same questions and sending a classroom photo to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com. Your submission could help us tell the next inspiring story in the Black Belt.

Name: Kelly Gandy
School: Demopolis High School
Grade/Subject: 9th–12th Grade Computer Science
Hometown: Demopolis
College: Auburn University (Bachelor’s), University of West Alabama (Master’s)
Family: Married to Trey Gandy for 19 years. We have two children — Wade, a senior at DHS, and Kendall, an 8th grader at DMS.
What I love about teaching/education: I love showing students how computer science connects to the real world and seeing them discover new skills they didn’t realize they had. Helping them gain confidence in problem-solving is the best part of my job.
Favorite subject to teach: Computer Science — especially exploring Artificial Intelligence and discussing the many possibilities a CS background can open up for students’ futures.
One of my biggest accomplishments: Transitioning from teaching business courses to becoming a Computer Science STEM teacher. This meant maintaining student interest in my classes while also building excitement for a brand-new subject area. To make it possible, I had to learn unfamiliar content, attend numerous workshops, and earn certification. It was challenging, but also one of the most rewarding steps in my career.
Favorite student success story: While I’ve seen the hard work of my FBLA students pay off in competitions, my favorite successes often aren’t recognized immediately or tied to content alone — they show up years later in the life lessons students carry with them. When former students return to visit, reach out to share their achievements, or when parents tell me about the role I played in their child’s growth, those moments make all the challenges of teaching truly worth it.
Career aspirations: My goal is to build and grow the Computer Science program at DHS, with a focus on developing the STEAM Lab. I want every teacher to be able to connect their classroom to the lab, using VR and simulations to bring lessons to life and enhance their content. Creating a space like this takes time and thought, but seeing it work the way I envision would be my greatest career accomplishment.

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