Venturing off into the world of the unknown and traveling away from home can be scary for some. But for Kelly Collins-Colosi of Norwich, that was exactly what she wanted. She told herself she was going to move away and explore her options. She said she wanted to see what the world had to offer in a bigger, more exciting place.

Less than 10 years later, as Colosi signed the last piece of paperwork to purchase a home, it startled her to look around at the city she once wanted so much to leave only to realize that it was again her home. It was a long road home some may say, but Colosi realized her dream of moving away and finding herself. The only thing she did not find was a place more comfortable than Norwich.

She first went to St. Bonaventure in Olean, but soon realized it was not the place for her. She returned to Norwich and worked various jobs until she decided where she would go to next. She had been interested in social work and soon traveled to Binghamton University to earn a bachelor’s degree in human development.

It was while attending BU that she worked at the Crime Victims Assistance Center and quickly realized her calling to work with children.

“Schools are the best place for social workers. They are the first line of defense because they know the kids and know when something is not right,” she said.

Marywood University was Colosi’s next stop. She continued her social work studies, earning a master’s degree. While at Binghamton, she met the man who later would become her husband, Nick Colosi. He earned his master’s degree in teaching.

Colosi convinced the Norwich High School that they were in need of a social worker, and while still living in Binghamton, she began commuting to Norwich. After years of traveling, she and Nick decided to buy a home in Norwich. Family was the deciding factor, she said. Kelly loves working at the school she once attended, even though she acknowledges how different it is to come back on the other side of the spectrum.