Cyrus uses passion for teaching to train future healthcare professionals

April 28, 2023

ASHLAND, Ky. – Kellie Cyrus believes she has two callings. Nurse and educator. 

In her role as Medical Assisting Program Coordinator at ACTC, she has been able to achieve both. 

Cyrus began her college education at Marshall University and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education K-8/PreK-K.  

“I started and directed a preschool program at my church for five years, but I still had the desire to become a nurse,” Cyrus said.  “So, I proceeded to achieve my goal to become a nurse and enrolled at St. Mary’s School of Nursing. I graduated in 2000 and started my RN career.”

After working at Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center for several years, Cyrus says she discovered that teaching was her passion.  

“I was blessed to be able to use both of my degrees, teaching and nursing and became a high school teacher in the health science programs at Spring Valley High School in Huntington, WV where I taught several courses related to healthcare as well as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course,” Cyrus said.

She says that after nearly eight years at the high school, she had the opportunity to work with and teach adults at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Mountwest Community and Technical College.

After moving to the Midwest and returning to the Ashland area, Cyrus realized how much she missed teaching. That’s what brought her to ACTC.

“I enjoy the college level of teaching.  Teaching adults is so rewarding.  Some of my best students have been the older generation,” she said. “They are so happy to be in your class and enthusiastic about learning.  They are in class because they ‘want’ to be there.  It makes my job pleasurable.”