A passion for education and lifelong learning has defined Dr. Kayla (Groene) Holloway's journey from the halls of Pleasant Run Middle School and Northwest High School to earning her doctoral degree and inspiring future generations. A proud Class of 2006 graduate, Dr. Holloway credits her teachers' encouragement and a strong network of school activities with setting the stage for her leadership in education today.
After graduating from high school, Kayla attended the University of Cincinnati, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education (Social Studies). She continued her academic pursuit at Xavier University, earning a Master’s degree in Educational Administration in 2015 and later a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2021.
“I am most proud of earning my doctoral degree and the dissertation work I completed during that process. It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with future leaders beyond the education field, a truly valuable experience.”
Today, Dr. Holloway serves as the Dean of Students at Struble Elementary, where she supports students, faculty, and families through discipline guidance, positive achievement recognition, and leadership roles in programs like the garden club, running club, and the KISR tutoring initiative.
She also contributes her leadership skills to the school's BLT and PBIS committees. Prior to her current role, Kayla spent eight years teaching eighth-grade social studies and coaching volleyball and track within the district.
“When starting out on my educational journey, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to start my career at Pleasant Run Middle working alongside my former teachers,” she said. “They not only helped me grow as an educator but demonstrated how to build strong student relationships that would last a lifetime. I’ve had the privilege of watching the progress of several former students such as Evan Mahaffey as he continues on his collegiate career.”
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Holloway has achieved incredible milestones in her personal pursuits including running.
“I most recently completed a 50-mile run in March making it my fifth 50-mile run! I hope to complete a 100-miler in the future, I came just shy at 76 miles.”
Reflecting on her time at Northwest as a student, Dr. Holloway highlights the lasting impact of supportive educators and rich extracurricular opportunities.
“During my time at Northwest, I had the most encouraging and supportive teachers who pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and believed in me. While I had always wanted to be a teacher from a young age, the teachers at the middle and high school level solidified that passion and continued to grow my love of learning,” she said.
She fondly remembers the influence of mentors like Mr. Gilliand, Mr. Ficker, Mrs. Meador, and Ms. Hoeting, whose guidance extended beyond graduation into her professional journey.
Dr. Holloway’s advice to today’s students is rooted in resilience and compassion.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know the answer and don’t be afraid to speak up! Even if you get it wrong the first time, you learn from it, grow, and move on. Be someone that others can turn to and rely on; you never know how valuable that can be to someone. Always take the time to be kind and give back no matter how big or small that may be.”
Beyond her work in education, Dr. Holloway enjoys an active life with her husband Chris, their two dogs, Bo and Millie, and their bearded dragon, Teddy. Whether she’s running ultramarathons, gardening, or spending time with family - especially her siblings Kyle and Karley - Dr. Holloway continues to embody the spirit of lifelong learning, leadership, and community connection.