- April 19, 2024
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Ashley Cowin discovered her love for teaching through dance.
She grew up as a competitive dancer, and said that at a young age she became an assistant to help the younger ones in the studio. That eventually led to her teaching her own classes once she was old enough.
"I loved the looks on their faces when they learned a new skill and loved watching them grow and learn," Cowin said. "After graduating high school, it was an easy decision for me to go to school to become a teacher. As I went through college I fell more and more in love with the field. It is truly my passion."
The Ormond Beach Elementary Teacher of the Year graduated with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of South Florida, and later attended Southern New Hampshire University where she graduated with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction.
She has been in education for eight years, and is currently a first grade teacher at OBE.
Her favorite part of being a teacher is getting to know her students and their families. She said she loves the look on a student's face when he or she gets that "aha" moment. She also loves when her students' parents take the time to let her know how much their child has learned in her classroom.
"The pride and joy on their faces and in their voices just warms my entire heart," Cowin said. "The amount that my students grow from the first day they walk in the door in August, to the last day that they leave in June is the best thing to watch and be a part of."
She reflects on all of that at the end of each school year. Cowin said she feels blessed to be "just a small part of their life."
Being nominated as her school's Teacher of the Year has also brought her some reflection — on how she's been able to overcome challenges, grow as a teacher, and the support she's received along the way from her students, fellow teachers, administrators and support staff.
"I have received so much encouragement, knowledge, and love from so many people that have touched my life," she said. "This has enabled me to educate, love, encourage and support our young children to embrace who they are. I believe this has helped them discover and develop their individual gifts that will shape the adults they will someday be, which is truly a privilege."
When she's not in the classroom, Cowin enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and going to Disney.
