Meet National Student Teacher of the Year Ashlyn Bergethon

Ashlyn Bergethon is a 2024 graduate of Baylor University’s School of Education, an Algebra I and Honors Algebra II teacher in Robinson ISD, and a first-time professional ATPE member. While completing her educator preparation program, Bergethon was named National Student Teacher of the Year by Kappa Delta Pi (an international honor society in education) and the Association of Teacher Educators, as well as Clinical Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas by the Texas Directors of Field Experience.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Bergethon to learn more about her passion for education and what she’s looking forward to in the future.

What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

My dream of becoming a teacher began in middle school. I always enjoyed helping others, and my favorite subject in school was math. So teaching math was a perfect combination of those two passions.

When I was in sixth grade, I often visited my old elementary campus in the morning before school started to help my fifth-grade teacher prepare materials and grade papers. My science teacher noticed my passion for education and asked me to prepare and teach a lesson on sound and light waves. Ever since that day, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

My high school offered a two-year teacher preparation program, Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow. I enrolled in this course during my junior and senior years, studying child development and student-teaching in sixth and eighth grade math classrooms. This experience confirmed my desire to become a math teacher and built a firm foundation for my career.

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow partnered with Educators Rising, so I had the opportunity to represent Educators Rising in Washington, D.C., and to compete in competitions for education. My teacher at Frank W. Cox High School, Jennifer Nardelli, always pushed me to grow and go above and beyond in my classroom teaching.

Once at Baylor University, Dr. Rachelle Rogers, one of my professors, was very influential in my preparation to be a math educator. Dr. Rogers provided specific feedback for me to implement in lessons to increase student engagement and understanding. I was continually encouraged and given opportunities to grow as an educator. I would not be the teacher I am today without the guidance and support of Jennifer Nardelli and Dr. Rachelle Rogers, who poured their knowledge and experience into me year after year.

What was your student teaching experience like?

My mentor teachers, Meaghan Lewis and Aaron Snow, trusted me with their classrooms and provided me with the opportunity to grow as an educator. During my student teaching, I taught Algebra I, Honors Geometry, and AP Calculus AB. Student teaching was a challenging but wonderful experience. I enjoyed my student teaching experience so much that I stayed to teach at the same school post-graduation.

What excites you about beginning your career in education? Is there anything you are looking forward to?

Since sixth grade, I have worked diligently and eagerly awaited the opportunity to begin my career. I was ecstatic to begin teaching on my own and to decorate my classroom in a way that would create an engaging and safe learning environment. A student recently told me, “Your classroom is just … safe.” And this was one of the greatest compliments I have received. Students love to learn and feel safe in my classroom. The content is also exciting to implement with engaging lessons including gamified worksheets and practice. As I look forward to another semester with my students, I’m excited to teach them new skills and grow professionally to improve my classroom practices and lessons.

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

A common challenge of any first-year, young teacher is classroom management. With my preparation at Baylor University and Robinson ISD, I established classroom expectations with my students. When I began the year, students in each of my class periods created individual expectations for themselves and me. Each class described what a good student, teacher, and group member looks like.

Having students create their own expectations gives them ownership. On days when students struggle to learn and focus, I direct their attention to the classroom expectation poster on the wall for their class period. The students usually follow the expectations because they created them, which has helped me to overcome classroom management challenges.

As a high school teacher, I anticipate that classroom management will always be an obstacle, and I will continue to seek advice from colleagues, read ideas from professionals, create engaging lessons, and alter my methods as new challenges arise.

What has surprised you about working in education so far?

I am surprised at the questions students ask during class, especially my honors students. Many of my students truly enjoy learning about the conceptual understanding of the material and real-world connections. This has challenged me to know my content on an even deeper level so I can answer their questions. While some students care only about procedural learning, I love having conversations about the understanding of mathematical concepts.

What have you enjoyed most about teaching so far?

I have enjoyed supporting my students in their extracurricular activities. I attend athletics, academics, and fine arts events as much as possible. One part of my classroom design is a wall full of pictures of me and my students. I love it when students run into my classroom to find their picture on the wall after a game or arts performance.

A lot of my students do not have home support when it comes to extracurriculars, so I enjoy providing that encouragement and cheering for them! The support I give students in extracurriculars positively correlates to students’ learning and engagement in math class.

What advice do you have for others who may want to pursue a career in education?

My advice for them is to be “all in.” Pursue opportunities to get in classrooms and talk with other educators. Soak up as much advice as you can from teachers who are already in the classroom. Research ways that you can have the most possible impact on students. Find a teacher preparation program that aligns with your goals and is known for caring about their students’ engagement, feedback, and well-being. Education is a calling and, as a career, is so rewarding. I have found that it is very fun to teach students, support them in extracurriculars, and collaborate with colleagues. I encourage anyone who enjoys children and is passionate about learning and making an impact to become an educator.