Outstanding Grad Spotlight: Kelsie Rich

Editor’s Note: The College of Education is delighted to recognize the 11 students selected by their programs and departments as 2026 Outstanding Graduates. View all our honorees. 

Kelsie Rich has three professional passions — math, science and making an impact on the next generation. As a 6th-grade teacher in her home community of San Diego, she’s found the perfect way to blend all three. 

“Every day, I have the opportunity to connect with students, help them grow as problem solvers and encourage them to become lifelong learners,” Rich said. “Even if students don’t remember all of the math or science content from 6th grade, those subjects build essential skills like problem solving, grit and perseverance.”

Through her studies in SDSU’s Master of Arts in Mathematics and Science Education program, she’s made herself the best teacher she can be.

Rich said she was positively impacted by several of her SDSU instructors, including Stacy Byers, whom she selected as her Most Influential Faculty Member. Byers, she said, inspired her to challenge her students and focus on their thinking, rather than simply having them produce the correct answer. The two also shared honest conversations about the challenges in the education system, spurring Rich to advocate for new practices to support students at her school site.

“This program allowed me to focus on those subjects while learning how to use data to better meet students’ needs,” Rich said. “We were able to take what we learned and implement it in our classrooms on a daily basis, which made the experience immediately meaningful. The program also gave me time to reflect on my teaching practices and try new approaches.”