Spotlight: Ashli Knoell (NM '23)

New Mexico Milken Educator Ashli Knoell is a ninth through 12^th grade robotics and STEAM teacher at V. Sue Cleveland High School. Knoell emphasizes creativity and collaboration to seamlessly integrate STEAM into various subject areas in her classroom. She’s known for her innovation, enthusiasm, and connection with students. “I want to help students see the best in themselves, know they matter, and remember that failure is not an option — they can and will succeed.” Knoell received a Milken Educator Award in Rio Rancho on December 13, 2023.

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

I was deeply touched by the support and enthusiasm from my students. It was heartening to also see former students drop by my classroom and to receive congratulations from graduates. This outpouring of support has really highlighted how fortunate I am to have such a positive impact on my students. 

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator? Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped your practices or motivation to teach? 

A wise human, very Yoda-like, suggested I jump into teaching. My first encounter with my mentor, Sharon Shaw — a woman I hold in the highest esteem — is one I will never forget. I walked into her classroom, and she handed me her chalk and said, “teach.” This was the very first day I was in her classroom, and it was supposed to be for a one-hour observation. Not knowing what else to do, I jumped right in and began covering the solar system and planets with her sixth grade class. From this moment on, I was a teacher. I will never know how she knew I would achieve success, or if that day she took a gamble and tossed a college student a piece of chalk. 

Content is easy, the human aspect of teaching is what makes the profession worthwhile. I had an amazing science teacher in middle school who journeyed with my class to high school (small town). Mr. Gary Hoodless was kind, gruff, intelligent, funny, and could best anyone who went up against him with science facts, especially biology. I hope to be a fraction of the educator he was. I want to help students see the best in themselves, know they matter, and remember that failure is not an option — they can and will succeed. 

Ultimately, my students provide me with the motivation to teach. They reinforce my belief that making a difference and helping students feel valued is the core of what drives me in education. 

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. What memories stand out? Who or what helped you through it? 

The school I student taught at and would later become my first teaching assignment. It was a middle school with 100% free and reduced lunch, Title 1 funding, and held the rating of an “F.” English was a second language for many of the students. I had the crazy idea, as a student teacher, to organize an event with students called “Read to Feed.” Students asked family, friends and local businesses to pledge money for every page they read. The event grew, students raised money, and we were able to purchase two semi-trucks full of food to help families in need on our school site. The group of students responsible for raising the money went on a field trip to the local food bank and volunteered for a day. Students learned their actions and voices matter and have worth. I will forever carry my McKinley students with me. 

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

Always ask questions. If you want to do or try something new, GO FOR IT! I always tell my students that the worst thing someone can tell you is, “No.” I want students to leave my class with a strong sense of their importance and value. 

MFF: Can you share a project that has been particularly rewarding for both you and your students that highlighted the value of creating real-world learning opportunities for students? 

We do a ton of different projects in my S.T.E.A.M. + robotics classes. The projects I truly enjoy are battle bots and genius hour projects. Battle bots are tiny robots that teams of students work to build. Usually in the month of April, we journey to New Mexico Tech and students compete in a robot combat tournament. Watching the students come together and sacrifice parts of their battle bots so that another bot can continue to battle is rewarding. Genius hour projects, also known as passion projects, challenge students to select a topic of interest to them. Students are challenged to select a topic that makes them better humans and/or the world a better place. 

MFF: In addition to taking on robotics, you had the chance to begin teaching Educators Rising. Can you tell us more about why EdRising is important to you and the impact you’ve seen it have on students? 

The Educators Rising program is amazing. I was a teacher leader for three years. I enjoyed and continue to enjoy watching my Ed. Rising students grow, learn, and share their learning with others. My Ed. Rising students formed cohorts and friendships that have remained intact after graduation. I am in the process of working with the New Mexico Milken Educators to start an initiative to support Educators Rising. 

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

Do it! Teaching is rewarding. As I write this, I am struggling to quantify how extraordinary the profession is. The “lightbulb moments,” the successes, and all the amazing things that happen daily in a classroom are remarkable, incredible, amazing, etc. 

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? Is there anything else you want to share about your school? 

My goal for the 2024-2025 school year is to incorporate the Lowell Milken Center’s Unsung Hero and ARTEFFECT projects into my classroom. I have this crazy vision of students coding the robots to produce some of the art as a reflection of their learning and research.