WBE teacher wins scholarship

Published 2:52 pm Friday, January 8, 2021

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West Bainbridge Elementary Kindergarten teacher, Ashley Strickland was surprised at a faculty meeting earlier this week when she announced the recipient of the Susan Johnson Continuing Education Scholarship.

Strickland is currently pursuing a Masters in Early Childhood Education at Albany State University.

Strickland said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and she’s been fortunate to learn and work alongsidewith the teachers she had while attending WBE as a child.

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Since her time at WBE, she enrolled in ASU, hoping to gain a T-5 certification in Early Childhood Education that will help prepare master teachers to work with children in grades PreK-5. The program she’s attending will also provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to serve in leadership roles in curriculum development, supervision and research in the field of Early Childhood Education.

In addition to this, pursing a master’s degree also allows Strickland to make valuable connections that are necessary to advance her professional skills and foster personal growth and development.

Strickland said she believes teaching is investing in the future and she wants to be a part of something bigger than herself, which is why she chose to go back to school and apply for the Susan Johnson Continuing Education Scholarship.

“I take my work very seriously and want to make a difference in the lives of my students and others around me,” she said. “I believe every child deserves a safe, caring environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.”

Strickland believes her role in this is to provide those students the opportunity to engage in meaningful and purposeful learning.

“I believe a teacher should be able to assist students in developing and embracing their own unique potential and learning style,” she said.

Strickland strives to earn her students’ love and respect, along with build a positive relationship between their home and the classroom.

“I want parents to know I care about their children,” she said. “My goal is for them to understand that together, we can work as a team and make a huge impact in the lives of their children.”

Through her dedication and hard work to foster growth and relationships, Strickland was named the scholarship recipient. She said she now looks forward to putting the funds to good use and striving to represent Decatur County and the name of Susan Johnson proudly.