At Horizon Honors Elementary School, first and second grade students spend two years exploring the ins and outs of learning and life from mentor teacher Ashley Meyer. Playing a vital role in students’ early educational development, she maximizes her time with everyone, working with her classroom collaborative team to strengthen foundational skills across the curriculum. Utilizing small groups to provide differentiated instruction, Meyer’s interactive lessons help students master the material and its relevance to everyday life. She is often implementing ideas for hands-on projects during “Project Group,” a time dedicated for students to demonstrate comprehension of the day’s studies. Meyer also helps to guide students through “Summative,” a quarterly opportunity for students to present the standards they have learned and resulting outcomes of their learning to family members. Her data-driven and evidence-based instructional practices have reaped consistent student achievement and growth, with her students outperforming the district in benchmark assessments.
A collaborative educator at heart, Meyer’s classroom door is always open for observations and feedback from colleagues. Her professionalism and positivity contribute to the culture at Horizon Honors Elementary, as colleagues turn to Meyer for ideas and input on topics such as classroom management and parent communication. Advancing teacher leadership, support and team-building is a hallmark of the school’s partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). This year, Meyer increased her roles and responsibilities as a mentor teacher. In this role, she is an integral part of the school’s instructional leadership team, lending her knowledge to schoolwide professional development, curriculum development and coaching.
Meyer’s advocacy for student accessibility and success inspires students and colleagues alike. She works closely with parents to set goals for their students, then creates individualized learning plans, ensuring all learners are prepared to excel at high levels. Having completed state dyslexia training, Meyer is attuned to monitoring her classroom for additional supports, such as reading needs, alternative learning opportunities or behavioral accommodations. Outside of the classroom, Meyer sponsors a “Spirit Squad” club after school for first through fourth grade students.
Meyer earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Illinois State University in 2016 and a master’s in reading and literacy from Grand Canyon University in 2019.
Press release: Bright ‘Horizons’ Abound: Phoenix Elementary School Teacher Receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award
