Ashley White
Arlington Middle School
Ashley White, the newest history teacher at Arlington middle, creates an inviting space for her students. Originally from Covington, TN, she graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2012. Ms. White didn’t always want to be a teacher; she originally thought that communications was the way t0 go. However, she finally decided to go into teaching. When asked what the most rewarding part of her job is, she answered “I think being able to make connections with the kids and them feeling free to talk and share things like hobbies with you. Because I have tried to make my room fun and cool, so they can see Marvel and sports…”
Don’t believe everything you read… and it’s okay to laugh at yourself.
She also cultivates positive relationships by staying involved in their lives and interests. She tells her students it’s okay to laugh, and that it’s okay to have fun. She is also open about making mistakes. These things combined help create a sense of community in the classroom. Her personal trait of being laid back transfers to her teaching by keeping her classroom a “chill space, which helps it flow better”.
Ms. White says if she could teach her students one thing, it would be, “Don’t believe everything you read, and it’s okay to laugh at yourself.”