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Ashley Jones was named Beaufort County Teacher of the Year on May 14 at a reception held by Beaufort County Schools at the Harbor District Market on Main Street in Washington. 

Jones said it is “an honor” to be recognized as teacher of the year. “There was a great group of teachers that were nominated for Teacher of the Year, this year in Beaufort County – a lot of great educators that do a lot of incredible things in their classrooms. So to be chosen amongst that group was extremely special.” 

Jones began teaching sixth grade at Bath Elementary in 2003 after graduating from East Carolina University. Because it was the only open position at the school at that time, she took it with the intention of teaching sixth grade for one or two years. Of course, that was 22 years ago. Jones said she fell in love with teaching sixth grade after her first year in the classroom – the same room where she teaches social studies and science from today. 

In over two decades, three things have kept Jones at Bath Elementary: the students, the faculty and the Bath community. 

“The staff and the kids and the community here are just amazing,” she said. 

Leanna Holmes, a sixth grade Language Arts teacher, has taught alongside Jones for about 20 years at Bath Elementary. “She is just a joy to work with,” Holmes said about Jones. “She brings fun to the job and humor which we need and she’s just amazing with the students keeping them engaged…It’s a team effort and she’s a very strong part of the team and I couldn’t imagine doing this without her.” 

Bath Elementary Principal Kimberly Bissette has worked with Jones for the last 17 years. Too, they have coached softball together. She said Jones “brings happiness to everybody.” 

“She builds relationships with all the students. She takes on service projects and helps the students learn empathy and then ties into her lessons,” Bissette added.

Educators, like Jones, who have taught for multiple decades begin to see the children of former students in their classrooms. Teaching generation after generation of Bath Elementary students is a “special” experience, she described.

“Being able to teach kids of kids is really special. It’s really neat. I think the kids know that I was a part of their parents’ education. Then to be a part of their education is extra special.” 

The evolution of technology in the last 22 years has had a great impact on Jones’ teaching style. Today, she can task all 56 of her students to look up information online about topics discussed in class whereas in the past, she would not have been able to task all of her students to use one computer in the classroom to search for information. 

“Technology can bring our content to life,” Jones said. “No matter what we’re learning about, I can instantly show the kids exactly what we’re talking about. We can go to those places virtually, which is pretty incredible.” 

Placing greater focus on students’ emotional and social well-being in the classroom has been another change Jones has seen in the last 22 years. Her current students were first graders when the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools into remote learning which impacted students’ education and social skills from an early age. 

“I think that’s been a major impact on education, even within the past probably five to seven years. Just really being able to focus on mental health. I think there is a greater awareness of mental health now…I think definitely the pandemic contributed to some of the mental health that we’re seeing in students today – being isolated especially during some of their early development years – not being here at school, face-to-face, I think has made a big impact on some [students].”

One thing that has not changed for Jones in the last few years has been the rules and procedures of her classroom. Students are given classroom rules and procedures on the first day of school and are reminded of them throughout the academic year. Having set clear expectations for her students has been a contributing factor to Jones’ success. 

“I have a lot of high expectations in my classroom. I expect the kids to live up to those, but when we do make mistakes, there’s grace for that…I think it’s very important that we create an environment in which kids feel safe where they want to come to school every day.” Jones said. 

She continued, “I think the kids would tell you that I’m very laid back, but I expect them to behave and treat each other with kindness and respect. That’s the biggest rule in my classroom. My first rule up there on the way says, ‘respect your classmates and teachers.’ The kids will tell you that comes down to two words – being kind and treating others with respect. That takes you a long way in life.” 

If she could go back in time – to her first year of teaching – she would tell herself “to not sweat the small stuff, find the joy in every day and build relationships with students and their families.” 

Jones will go on to compete for regional teacher of the year. If she wins, she will be entered into a running for State Teacher of the Year.