|
|
|
Ashley Ohl, Excellence in Beginning Teaching
Philosophy of Teaching
A child-centered, interactive environment is the foundation of my teaching philosophy. It is in this environment that my personal love of learning influences students to work hard and establish independence. The six boys in my classroom know I have high expectations for them, and the greatest reward as a teacher is watching them rise to those expectations.
'It is difficult to explain what it feels like as a special education teacher to watch a child with special needs master a skill that most take for granted.'
When I accepted the job at Jackson, I knew it would be a challenge. What I did not expect was to have a classroom full of precious, vibrant boys who could not sit still or get anywhere without running full speed! I will never forget the feeling I had the first time my boys sat through an entire fifteen-minute group circle, or the first time they walked down the hallway in a straight line! It is difficult to explain what it feels like as a special education teacher to watch a child with special needs master a skill that most take for granted. It is an indescribable feeling of pride, yet it hardly compares to the happiness and self-confidence my kids show on their faces.
I would not be a great teacher today without the love and support of my principal and team. The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” is personified at Jackson — everyone plays their part and everyone works together to help our children learn and grow. In actuality, I have 680 students throughout the building, not just the six in my classroom. I thrive on being a part of a community of educators who teach passionately; I am exactly where I need to be.
'The greatest thing I do as a teacher is love my kids.'
The greatest thing I do as a teacher is love my kids. I love them for who they are and for who I know they have the potential to become. I encourage them to stretch their abilities while respecting their individual limitations. They feel safe in my classroom, and they know it is okay to make mistakes. In my classroom progress is not measured by how many times a child falls, but rather how often that child gets up and tries again. In reflection at the end of each day, I often find that my students are teaching me, too. They teach me patience and humility, kindness and love. Most importantly, they teach me that sometimes I just need to relax and have a good laugh.
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
- Master of Education, Texas Christian University - May, 2008
Major: Special Education - GPA: 4.0
- Bachelor of Science in Education
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University - May 2007
- Major: Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education
- Minor: Habilitation of the Deaf
- Overall GPA: 3.71 Major GPA: 3.9 Minor GPA: 3.87
- TCU Dean’s Scholar; TCU College of Education Dean’s List
Qualifications
- Certified by the Texas State Board of Education: EC-12 Special Education, EC-4 Generalist, EC-4 ESL Supplemental Extensive knowledge of special education methods, IEP goal development and implementation, and behavior intervention, as well as a strong awareness of developmentally appropriate classroom practice
Teaching Experience
- Jackson Elementary School, Plano ISD - August 2008 to Present
- Special Education Teacher, Jackson Elementary
- Teaching in a self-contained, special education classroom
- Implementing daily instruction related to students’ SEP goals and objectives, including behavior intervention plans
- Substitute Teacher, Beaty Early Childhood School, Plano ISD
- Served as a long-term substitute teacher in Beaty’s Centralized Structured Classroom
- Provided support for the classroom teacher and speech-language pathologist in regards to teaching and planning
- Jordan Health Services — Fort Worth, TX January to March 2008
Respite Care Attendant
- Collaborated with parents of a young child with severe disabilities to provide appropriate care and supervision. Encouraged development of fine motor, gross motor, self-help, and social skills within the home environment
- TCU College of Education, Fort Worth, TX - August 2007 to May 2008
- Graduate Assistant - Developed family literacy packs for young children with Down Syndrome in accordance with the research of Dr. Theresa Prosser, Associate Professor of the TCU College of Education
- TCU StarPoint School, Fort Worth, TX - August 2006 to May 2008
- Homework Club Supervisor - Helped children with learning disabilities to complete reading, math, social studies, and science homework. Reinforced classroom instruction using a variety of tutoring strategies targeting different learning styles
- Joshua ISD, Staples Elementary School, Joshua, TX - May 2007
- Substitute Teacher - Asked to remain as a permanent substitute teacher in the Life Skills classroom upon completion of student teaching. Addressed daily educational needs of children with severe and profound disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism, Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, and mental retardation
- TCU StarPoint and KinderFrogs Schools, Fort Worth, TX - August to December 2006
- Substitute Teacher - Provided instruction in all academic subjects for children with learning disabilities, Kindergarten6th grade. Led young children with Down Syndrome, ages 18 months to 5 years, through daily school schedule and routines
- Joshua ISD, Staples Elementary School, Joshua, TX - March to April 2007
- Student Teacher - Completed special education student teaching placement in a self-contained Life Skills classroom.
- Bjorn’s International School, Copenhagen, Denmark - January to February 2007
- Student Teacher - Completed regular education student teaching placement in a fourth grade bilingual classroom
School
Principal Recommendation
The first time I met Ashley Ohl, I knew my life would change! To know Ashley is to love her! Hence, it did not surprise me one day at the beginning of this year when Ashley told me, “I want to be a principal someday!” I am the first to tell you, she will be a fabulous one because she has an educator’s heart; she is brilliant and wise beyond her years!
Ashley walked into our school ready to tackle whatever challenge we threw her way. “Challenge” is what she received. She has taken our children in special education and has made them into students! At first these children could not walk down the hall, sit still or pay attention long enough to learn a thing. Now she has them not only acting like students, but learning like students. She asked for help, searched out other Plano teachers who have already succeeded with the same type of behavioral students, went to observe them and then put into practice everything she learned!
One father sat in an ARD and said, “You do not know how grateful we are for Miss Ohl! We have been all over the nation visiting the top doctors and specialists to help my son. We have spent thousands of dollars because he is our world. I am here to tell you that my son has learned more in four months with Miss Ohl than the previous five years with specialists. We can’t thank her enough!”
Every parent she works with feels this way! Ashley doesn’t see life as a challenge; she sees it as an opportunity. She will not stop until she has succeeded. One day I was in my office brainstorming answers with a group of teachers to a difficult problem. Ashley sat on the couch absorbing every word that was said. After it was over Ashley looked at me and said, “I hope you don’t mind that I sat in here, but I want to learn everything!” I LOVE her attitude and so does the staff!
I consider myself one blessed principal that I was able to hire the BEST new teacher in Plano!
Sincerely,
Kris Benson, Principal
Jackson Elementary School
|
|
