Ashley is a veteran educator with a passion for arts education. Ashley graduated with a BS in Music Education from Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University) in 2008. She went on to become a high school choir and musical director for nine years, during which she earned her MA in Music Education from the University of Illinois and was awarded the Champaign Illinois Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ashley also has experience as a preschool specialty educator and gained a special interest in working with persons with exceptionalities. Currently, she teaches in the Elementary 1 environment at Rochester Montessori School and volunteers at the library in her spare time. When she’s not working with students, Ashley enjoys embroidery, taking in local art and food, and spending time with family. Ashley has developed a great love for the Montessori philosophy and attended the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies to complete her Association Montessori International elementary certification.
