Ashley Buchanon had this to say when asked for information to be used in this profile. “I am so thankful for this opportunity to reflect on my time at Community Education. It truly was a mighty building block for my success as a teacher, even at this point in my life. The confidence I gained in various roles and the experiences I had each school year are priceless. Without my time there, I may have never sought out opportunities such as becoming a Kentucky Math Teacher Leader, a Go Teach Kentucky Ambassador, or a recipient of a Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award Winner in Frankfort.”
Buchanon attended Warren East High School and continued her education at WKU, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education with an endorsement in gifted education. “Following Community Ed, I completed my student teaching and was hired just after graduation as a teacher at Rockfield Elementary.” Buchanon has been employed in Warren County schools for 14 years and is currently an Elementary Education classroom teacher at Rockfield Elementary School in Warren County.
“Prior to working at Community Education, I volunteered as a Big Sister through Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club of Southern Kentucky. I discovered Community Ed because my Little attended one of the afterschool programs. I asked a site leader about his experience and whether he would recommend working there.” That site leader recommended Community Ed; Buchanon applied and served as a group leader and later a site leader.
“My proudest moments would be reflecting on the opportunities I was given and where I have been in my profession. Natalie (Harrington) Taylor was a driving force in challenging me to be a site leader and found ways to use my talents in education to make Comm Ed programs fun and engaging for the kids. She saw my leadership skills, and I am so grateful.”
Buchanon says that working at Community Education helped her with one of the most foundational pieces of a successful teaching career: relationships.
“From the group and site leaders becoming my friends and attending events with them like the annual Spelling Bee or Homecoming Parade to the custodians and school staff inviting me to their church or the school field day, I began to understand the importance of each role in our program and the school. Also, learning that to have relationships with our afterschool students, time chatting, making melting beads, pushing them on the swing, or even engaging with their parents during pick-up was preparing me to become an educator.”
Buchanon and her husband, Chris, a Bowling Green firefighter, have three children: Corbin (9), Amelia (6), and Charlotte (1).