New chemistry teacher hired at Isaac Bear school, replaces Kelly

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County School Board fired Isaac Bear Early College teacher Michael Kelly earlier this month. Now, we know who is replacing him.

Kelly facing dozens of charges related to sex crimes with minors.

As Kelly sits behind bars facing indecent liberties with a child charges, the school district has hired Jeff Gerken as his replacement.

Gerken announced he would become a full time chemistry teacher at the early college high school in Tuesday’s H2Go board meeting.

Gerken sits as the chair of the board, but outside of commission meetings he was an active math and science substitute teacher.

Gerken has a Bachelors of Arts in chemistry from Harvard University.