Mrs. Ashley Teacher Feature 2012
Teaching runs in her family. Her parents were both teachers and many of her relatives are teachers. Carlynn Ashley, however, started out with a desire to become a librarian. This later changed as she felt she could pass on the love of books and reading to her students as a teacher.
Since 1986, she has taught all grade levels (K-6) but mostly as a primary (K-3) teacher. Her teaching career began at Cook Elementary School where she taught first grade. In 1990, she moved to North Carolina, where her husband Ray went back to college. She taught elementary school there for the next five years. She then returned to the Chula Vista Elementary School District where she was hired at Lauderbach Elementary School. In 1999, she moved to HILLTOP Elementary School and has been part of the HILLTOP family for the past 13 years.
"The best part of teaching is the kids. I love it when they get excited about something new and share their thoughts or when a 'light bulb' goes off in their heads and they understand a new concept. I still find it amazing how much academic growth occurs in a child in the course of just one school year," said Ashley.
This year she is teaching Kindergarten and has found it to be challenging. "Things have really changed since the last time I taught at this level. Many of the things that use to be taught at first grade are now being introduced in Kindergarten. Collaborating with my Kindergarten grade level partners has been a big help," said Ashley.
She believes her most important role as a classroom teacher is to guide her students and gently push them to new heights. "I hope to expand and open their minds to new ways of thinking about the world around them. I also let students know that they are responsible for learning too. Asking questions and giving children time to formulate the answer in their heads helps them to take the lead in their learning."
If a student is having a difficult time in her classroom, she uses strategies such as drawing pictures and sentence frames to help them learn the structure of language. "Spending extra one on-one time with these students is important and finding the time do this is one of the most challenging aspects of my job," said Ashley.
Mrs. Ashley feels that parents have a huge impact on their child's learning. "It's important that they talk with their children and have conversations about the world around them. They need to take them places like the beach, a park, or to a tide pool. Balboa Park has free museum days and I feel there is so much to see and talk about around San Diego without having to spend money. They should also read and enjoy books with their children and show them that education comes before video games and/or television."
Reading is extremely important and is emphasized heavily in her classroom. "We read every day including independent and partner reading, listening to read-a-louds, and making charts and reading them."
One of the most unique things going on in her classroom this year is Writer's Workshop. Her Kindergarten class is learning to write narrative books while thinking like a scientist. The students have gone from learning their letters to writing small books.
"I really enjoy working at HILLTOP and I want to keep learning and trying new things that will continually improve my teaching skills."
For the last two years, she has coordinated the National PTA Reflections Art Program. A contest is held at HILLTOP and art from winning students goes on to compete in a regional contest. Regional winners compete in a state contest and state winners compete in a national contest.
Mrs. Ashley grew up in Quincy, California, a small town north of Lake Tahoe. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a degree in Theater Arts. She later earned her teaching credential at San Diego state in 1986 and a master’s degree in 2001. Prior to all of this, however, she and her husband Ray ran a sailing charter business and took people on 7-12 day trips in the Channel Islands. They then ventured off together on a two-year sailing trip from Mexico to French Polynesia before starting their family and careers. Ray is now in charge of the San Diego Maritime Museum. They have two children, Brienne (27) and Neva (22). Brienne is an instructor in the Living History Department of the San Diego Maritime Museum and Neva is a student at City College and is taking Art classes.
In her spare time, Mrs. Ashley enjoys gardening, sailing with friends and family, hiking, backpacking, and skiing.
Teaching runs in her family. Her parents were both teachers and many of her relatives are teachers. Carlynn Ashley, however, started out with a desire to become a librarian. This later changed as she felt she could pass on the love of books and reading to her students as a teacher.
Since 1986, she has taught all grade levels (K-6) but mostly as a primary (K-3) teacher. Her teaching career began at Cook Elementary School where she taught first grade. In 1990, she moved to North Carolina, where her husband Ray went back to college. She taught elementary school there for the next five years. She then returned to the Chula Vista Elementary School District where she was hired at Lauderbach Elementary School. In 1999, she moved to HILLTOP Elementary School and has been part of the HILLTOP family for the past 13 years.
"The best part of teaching is the kids. I love it when they get excited about something new and share their thoughts or when a 'light bulb' goes off in their heads and they understand a new concept. I still find it amazing how much academic growth occurs in a child in the course of just one school year," said Ashley.
This year she is teaching Kindergarten and has found it to be challenging. "Things have really changed since the last time I taught at this level. Many of the things that use to be taught at first grade are now being introduced in Kindergarten. Collaborating with my Kindergarten grade level partners has been a big help," said Ashley.
She believes her most important role as a classroom teacher is to guide her students and gently push them to new heights. "I hope to expand and open their minds to new ways of thinking about the world around them. I also let students know that they are responsible for learning too. Asking questions and giving children time to formulate the answer in their heads helps them to take the lead in their learning."
If a student is having a difficult time in her classroom, she uses strategies such as drawing pictures and sentence frames to help them learn the structure of language. "Spending extra one on-one time with these students is important and finding the time do this is one of the most challenging aspects of my job," said Ashley.
Mrs. Ashley feels that parents have a huge impact on their child's learning. "It's important that they talk with their children and have conversations about the world around them. They need to take them places like the beach, a park, or to a tide pool. Balboa Park has free museum days and I feel there is so much to see and talk about around San Diego without having to spend money. They should also read and enjoy books with their children and show them that education comes before video games and/or television."
Reading is extremely important and is emphasized heavily in her classroom. "We read every day including independent and partner reading, listening to read-a-louds, and making charts and reading them."
One of the most unique things going on in her classroom this year is Writer's Workshop. Her Kindergarten class is learning to write narrative books while thinking like a scientist. The students have gone from learning their letters to writing small books.
"I really enjoy working at HILLTOP and I want to keep learning and trying new things that will continually improve my teaching skills."
For the last two years, she has coordinated the National PTA Reflections Art Program. A contest is held at HILLTOP and art from winning students goes on to compete in a regional contest. Regional winners compete in a state contest and state winners compete in a national contest.
Mrs. Ashley grew up in Quincy, California, a small town north of Lake Tahoe. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a degree in Theater Arts. She later earned her teaching credential at San Diego state in 1986 and a master’s degree in 2001. Prior to all of this, however, she and her husband Ray ran a sailing charter business and took people on 7-12 day trips in the Channel Islands. They then ventured off together on a two-year sailing trip from Mexico to French Polynesia before starting their family and careers. Ray is now in charge of the San Diego Maritime Museum. They have two children, Brienne (27) and Neva (22). Brienne is an instructor in the Living History Department of the San Diego Maritime Museum and Neva is a student at City College and is taking Art classes.
In her spare time, Mrs. Ashley enjoys gardening, sailing with friends and family, hiking, backpacking, and skiing.