Remarkable Woman 2024 expands mission to help those with special needs

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – NBC 6 is honoring Remarkable Women of the ArkLaTex during Women’s History Month.

In addition to introducing you to this year’s finalists, we’re also taking a look at past winners, like 2024 winner Kelly Rouse. She helped found the Community School at Holy Angels, which opened in 2022. She is its director and inspiration.

“She just never stops giving and just never stops smiling,” said Whittney Plunkett, a therapist at Community School. “She is truly one of the most selfless people I have ever met, and still, somehow, she spreads joy everywhere she is when she’s giving everything of herself 24/7.”

Rouse became an elementary school teacher after graduating from Louisiana Tech. She wanted to better serve students with special needs; she was inspired to attend graduate school and become a school psychologist.

“I had a Bible scripture that just jumped off the pages and it was Proverbs 31:8 ‘speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.’ And I knew at that moment that this was the calling on my life,” Rouse recalled.

She has done extensive work developing programs for those with differing abilities, creating an autism program at Evangel Christian Academy, where she was the director for 12 years. Rouse continued developing programs that helped the students and supported their loved ones.

“Years later, after being in the field and choosing to remain in the field and being so passionate about everything that I do, I too had a child with special needs,” shared Rouse.

She and her husband have two sons, including one who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy.

“My two boys just really inspire me to do things from a mother’s perspective for children,” Rouse said. “If it’s not good enough for them, it’s not good enough for anyone’s child.
Rouse’s passion for excellence spreads to those around her.

“Everything Kelly does has such a purpose, from a chair in a classroom to a meeting she’s having outside of work,” explained Sarah Sealy, Holy Angels Development Manager. “She touches so many lives, and I don’t think she’ll ever truly know how special she is.”

“We get worried that we’re not doing enough, that we’re not good enough, we’re not smart enough,” said Rouse. “But the truth is, 90% of it is just showing up and be willing to hold people’s hand during a really dark time.”

Since Kelly won Remarkable Woman of the ArkLaTex in 2024, she has become heavily involved with the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council, advising lawmakers on the best way to serve patients and families.

She is currently conducting research and writing a book for caregivers. Kelly is also busy organizing eight different events for Autism Awareness Month in April.