Alumni Highlight: Ashley Johnson

I was born and raised in Midland, Texas. Attended Midland Christian School from pre-k through 12th grade. PROUD graduate of ABC, class of 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in early childhood education through 6th grade. I will forever be thankful for the education program and faculty at ABC. The wisdom and guidance in all of the classes had me OVER-prepared for the world of teaching.  After graduating, I tutored at Farrell Elementary in Arlington ISD for 3rd grade math and reading, as well as, kindergarten and first grade reading. While I was there I learned so much from the teachers I was able to provide push-in support for. I will forever be thankful for that year as a tutor. After that, I was offered a position at Lynn Hale Elementary teaching kindergarten AND first grade language arts. My second year teaching I was able to become a self-contained first grade teacher and have been in first grade ever since. This year I was given the opportunity to be team leader of our first grade team. Since I have been teaching I have been able to be a part of many amazing opportunities, including being able to have Reggie Routman's team do a writing residency in my classroom, become the campus contact for our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) team, and this year I became a mentor teacher to a UTA student. Teaching is not what I thought it would be, it is so much more than I could have ever imagined. It is hard work we teachers do, but seeing students who hate school and do everything they can to get out of learning begin to love learning and slowly tear down those walls they try so hard to keep up, that is what makes teaching beautiful. I wouldn't be the teacher I am today without the grace and mercy of God leading me every step of the way. God has been so good to me and I thank him every day for my job and those sweet kiddos I get to teach and grow alongside.