Ashley Gary

Prior to teaching, I was the marketing director for the Lafayette Bar Association, a local membership organization for attorneys and judges. I have always wanted to teach, and am so thrilled that in 2009 I decided to begin my passion--teaching. I have taught in only high-poverty, Title I schools, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My children are exceptional and I have taught 4th grade for three years, and 3rd grade one year.

Hands-on, discovery learning is the way I believe people, not just children, learn. I believe in doing activities with the students and letting them see and experience the skills and content, not hearing about it or copying it down. I bring in real-life examples, pictures, scenarios, etc. in everything that I do. This way, the content is brought to life and applicable to them. My students actually "teach" me because I use questions while I'm teaching instead of explicitly telling them what they need to know. I do not lecture. I rather facilitate and guide their thinking. I plug in the vocabulary words after they have already explained everything to me. Textbooks stay on the shelf.

I have been the team leader for my team for 2 years and have earned the Praxis Excellence Award.

I graduated high school from Westminster Christian Academy. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication with a minor in Marketing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I am certified to teach Pre-K through 5th grade in Louisiana.

I am the captain of my kickball team (yes, that's right--an adult kickball team), and my brother is our pitcher, so it's really nice to hang out with him and his wife every Thursday! I truly love teaching and have taught in only high-poverty schools, so it is very accurate to say I am in this for the children. I love my students, and really want to make a difference.