Change Agent Spotlight: Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler of Oak Grove School District
Throughout our work, we identify equity-focused leaders who take action as “Results-Oriented Change Agents” (ROCAs), or “Change Agents” for short. These Change Agents are those who are equipped to handle school and district complexity that arises from being under-resourced. They commit themselves to supporting the success of every student and possess both the capacity and drive to empathetically rally communities together to support initiatives that lead to sustainable improvements. (Read more in our Change Agent Framework and Rubric resource.)
Image description: Photo of Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler wearing an Anderson Bulldogs t-shirt next to a person in a Bulldogs mascot costume. Both are smiling and celebrating the first day of school.
Partners in School Innovation and Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler
Meet Kellee Humphrey Butler, a leader who’s redefining what’s possible for students and educators in Oak Grove School District (OGSD). From her first classroom to now her first year as principal at Alex Anderson Elementary School (AAES), Kellee has always been driven by her collaborative spirit and dedication to creating spaces where everyone feels informed, respected, and able to contribute.
In 2020, Kellee joined our ESA Transformation Network and began working with Partners in School Innovation (Partners) during the pivot to virtual learning. During this time, Kellee also shifted toward the full-school systems view of student data. She dove deeper into systems-level thinking once she stepped into an assistant principal role in 2022, and now as principal, she readily applies her knowledge, passion, and experience to support students, teachers, and the broader school community
Kellee recently shared in the Partners in School Innovation Community more about her background, what she and her team are currently learning at AAES, and what more they are looking to do in the future.
Image description: Photo of six people standing on the blacktop of an elementary school. It is sunny. All six are smiling at the camera. Among them is Principal Kelley Humphrey Butler.
Getting to know Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler
From teaching young learners to leading entire schools, Kellee’s career has been a joyful, ever-evolving learning journey powered by sticky notes, student data, and a whole lot of heart.
A proud California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Pioneer and a UC Berkeley alum, she started her career teaching first grade, where she quickly discovered the art of teaching six-year-olds to read while balancing best practices, data, and the boundless energy only first graders possess.
"It was a whirlwind," she recalls, "learning to teach the littles to read and collecting a lot of data... daily and bi-weekly!" Since then, Kellee has worn many hats in Oak Grove School District: primary teacher, instructional coach, English Language Development (ELD) teacher, assistant principal, and as of this year, principal at AAES.
What is a practice or resource that you’ve used that has helped your school?
This year, Kellee has been focused on fostering purposeful communication as a function of leadership. “It’s important to understand the role that communication plays,” she shares, “and always give people the full ‘why’ behind the message.”
Kellee emphasizes that communication should never be about control but about creating a space where everyone feels informed, respected, and able to contribute. She also believes that leadership is about fostering an environment where all staff—whether teachers, custodians, or cafeteria workers—feel like valued educators.
“I remember what it felt like to talk to the principal as a teacher,” she says. “I never want anyone to feel like they’re ‘just’ anything—we’re all educators here.”
Kellee’s approach to leadership includes clear communication, mutual respect, and a focus on efficiency—whether it’s managing schedules or giving constructive feedback. She also advises being direct when tough conversations are needed: “Start with the growth or change I need to see, and end with respect—always leaving some appreciation on the table.”
And when in doubt? She asks for advice from a thought partner, because great leadership starts with being open to learning and growth.
Image description: Photo of Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler in deep discussion with a colleague and member of the Partners in School Innovation staff. Everyone is seated around a table in an elementary school.
What lies ahead for your school and where are you growing?
Kellee asked the following in the Partners in School Innovation Community:
“I’m focused on building the skill of relationship-building,” she says, especially when it comes to teachers reaching out to parents. “There’s worry about saying the wrong thing.”
Kellee is also tackling the issue of parents bypassing teachers and going straight to the principal. She wants to find ways to reinforce the importance of teachers as the first point of contact while still holding them accountable and uplifting them along the way.
When she sought advice on easing the fear of parent communication, particularly when addressing challenges, our community members shared:
One member shared the quote, “Dialogue cannot exist…in the absence of a profound love for the world and for people.” – Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire, expanding with “...dialogue isn’t just about talking – it’s about how we show up: with humility, trust, hope, and a deep belief in each other’s capacity to grow. It’s a way of being, not a technique, grounded in partnership, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to transformation.”
For family engagement, another member recommended the Flamboyan Foundation’s resources, such as the Building Strong Relationships Quick Guide, and the Beginning of Year Relationship Building Toolkit.
Image description: Headshot photo of Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler of Oak Grove School District.
Thank You Principal Kellee Humphrey Butler of Oak Grove School District
We thank Kellee for being a true Results-Oriented Change Agent (ROCA) who is determined to and drives action toward ensuring student success and equity in education. We appreciate all of the Change Agents out there making their own mark on education and students’ lives.
We invite you to get to know Kellee and others in the Partners in School Innovation Community where 650+ equity-focused leaders in education are sharing resources weekly.
