Spotlight: Ainsley VanBuskirk (NC '23)

North Carolina Milken Educator Ainsley VanBuskirk is a lifelong learner committed to challenging herself and trying new things. Previously a shy and reserved student, she understands the hesitancy and fear that comes with classroom participation. Now, she empowers her first graders to explore new concepts by creating an environment where they feel safe to do so. "I hope that my students remember to always believe that they can accomplish anything — the sky is the limit." Ainsley received a 2023-24 North Carolina Milken Educator Award in Greenville on November 3, 2023.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise?

Ainsley VanBuskirk (NC '23): My students were very excited and proud. It gave me the opportunity to discuss how I continue to challenge myself to try new things and learn as an adult and as a teacher. I am a learner just like them. Students also love to ask what my plan for the prize money is.

MFF: Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped who you are as an educator?  

VanBuskirk: I was a very shy and reserved student. I was always hesitant to participate in classroom discussions and I was afraid to share my thoughts out loud. Knowing this about myself, it is important that I create an environment where all of my students feel psychologically safe to take risks. I make it my mission to empower my students while challenging them to explore new concepts and ways of thinking.

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. 

VanBuskirk: I remember being insecure my first year of teaching. I was on a team of veteran teachers that supported me, but I was worried that parents would be concerned with their child having a first year teacher. I had a student that I noticed would sometimes dissociate or “space out.” It was one of those situations where I would have to call her name a few times to get her attention. I remember documenting it and bringing it to the attention of her parent. Parent, who sought out medical advice and learned that the student was having absence seizures. The mom thanked me for my attention to her child. I learned so much my first year; the value of relationships with students and their guardians, how to adapt to meet the needs of my students, and the importance of being me. I was ultimately selected as a Key Beginning Teacher for my school at the end of that year.

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you?

VanBuskirk: One of my favorite quotes is, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.” It’s a quote from Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed. I hope that my students remember to always believe that they can accomplish anything — the sky is the limit. I want them to remember to accept challenges and embrace new opportunities to grow and learn. One of my former students recently ran up to me and gave me a hug. He then turned to my current students and told them, “You guys know you have the best teacher, right?” This was a student that I had to push past his level of comfort often. Hearing this comment made my heart melt.  

MFF: As part of Pactolus Global School's dual language program, your students are becoming biliterate and bilingual! What projects or lessons have particularly connected with them/or are your favorite to teach? Can you tell us more about how you've seen dual language education benefit students?  

VanBuskirk: I have spent the last two years working on a community of practice with other teachers in the dual language program. The aim is to identify and solve a challenge our students are facing. We have been working to create and facilitate cross-linguistic transfer with our program students. We have been intentional about explaining to students what it means to be bilingual and biliterate. My collaborative teachers and I have researched strategies to use to promote biliteracy and awareness. One of the activities that stood out to me was determining the similarities and differences of sounds in both languages. I asked one group of students what sound the letter “b” makes in English. I then asked them what sound the letter makes in Spanish. I could see the lightbulb go off in one student's head before he exclaimed, “Wow! Why didn’t you tell us this before?” Being able to help students create that connection is amazing. Dual language is an amazing opportunity for students and teachers. Students are able to communicate with more than one language and are grouped in a way where they can help support one another. It helps with building empathy. 

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers?  

VanBuskirk: Go for it. Continue to be a lifelong learner and inspire others to be. There is something powerful in knowing that you have the ability to facilitate learning for others.

Watch our interview with Ainsley VanBuskirk (NC '23) on the day of her Milken Award notification: