Kaitlin Ashley is a relatively new face at Brookhaven Elementary School, but she’s already making an impact. After four years of teaching, Ashley was chosen as the 2019 BES Teacher of the Year.

“I feel blessed to be chosen as Brookhaven Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year,” she said. “We have many great teachers here, so to be chosen is an honor.”

Ashley’s journey to become a teacher began when she was just a student herself, and her teachers instilled in her a desire to learn.

“I decided that I wanted to do that same thing for my students,” she said. “Also, I wanted to be able to help people. I do that as a teacher. I help students develop skills that will lead them to being successful citizens in the community.”

Ashley, a graduate of Mississippi College, teaches third grade English Language Arts, where students begin to work toward analyzing and understanding literature. She particularly enjoys teaching third grade, because she gets to see the students develop independence through the year.

“You get to see their personalities develop as the school year goes,” Ashley said. “They are still young enough that they love you and for the most part love coming to school.”

Ashley is dedicated to her work as a teacher, often spending long hours at school. Her husband, Justen Ashley, has never once complained about it.

“He has supported my goal to get my students to succeed,” she said. “Thank you to my coworkers and family that support me and are always there when I call.”