Welcome, my name is Ashley!
Hi, my name is Ashley Figueiredo! I am currently employed as a third grade teacher! I graduated from Kean University with a 4.0 GPA, a BA in Early Childhood Education (P-3/TSD), and a concentration in Music.
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I am extremely passionate about music/ performing arts! I love to dance, sing, play the clarinet, perform in musicals, and listen to different genres of music. In my spare time, I enjoy going out to eat with friends and family, watching movies, and looking for things to laugh about!
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On this page, you will find my honors/ awards, skills, why I want to be a teacher, an article that I was featured in, and photographs. Explore my site to learn about me and my professional experiences. Feel free to email me with any questions!
Honors / Awards
4.0 GPA at Kean University
Dean's List at Kean University for all eight semesters
Inducted into Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education)
Member of Lambda Alpha Sigma (Academic Honor Society of Kean University)
Founder/Coordinator of the Mentors in Education program for Kean University Early Childhood Education Club
Director of Public Relations for the Kean University Early Childhood Education Club
Achieved Platinum Leader status in Kean University's Leadership Institute
Peer Mentor for Kean University Leadership Institute's Leader2Leader Program
My Skills
Technology
-Experienced in remote instruction
-Proficient with Google Classroom, Google Meet, Zoom, Class Dojo, Relay Classroom, EdPuzzle, Flipgrid, Newsela, and Microsoft Office
-Adept in integration of technology and other media
Music &Â Dance
As a singer and a dance teacher, I have written songs and choreographed dances for my lessons to engage and educate my students.
Work Ethic
I am hardworking, flexible, willing to learn, personable, observant, knowledgeable, and accepting which is proven by the work I have displayed.
Why I Want To Be an Educator
Becoming an educator has been a dream of mine since I was five and my mother decided to go to school for Early Childhood Education. As an immigrant from Mexico, she would be the first in her family to graduate from college. I felt inspired as I watched her study and prepare lessons, and I became determined to be exactly like her. Every day in elementary school I would come home, line up my toys, pull out my chalkboard, and teach them what I learned in school that day.
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I never knew if I would be a good teacher until I reached high school. I was in the Union High School Performing Arts Company, which is where I was given my first leadership positions. When I was a sophomore I was selected as dance captain for the musicals and clarinet section leader for the marching band. By leading rehearsals, teaching my peers, and being responsible for learning all the content, my decision to become a teacher became finalized.
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I currently work as a choreographer at Burnet Middle School and Union High School, where I am tasked with creating and teaching choreography and leading rehearsals. I also teach swimming and water exercise. Previously, I was an assistant dance teacher, an assistant teacher, and an assistant tennis teacher. Working with different age groups on different skills have further inspired me to continue my journey of teaching and connecting with young students. No matter the content, I cherish the opportunity to teach a new skill and see the look of accomplishment when my students have mastered it.
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I have also strengthened my teaching abilities in my leadership roles at Kean University. I am the founder and coordinator of the Mentors in Education program with the Early Childhood Education Club, as well as the Director of Public Relations. I wanted to provide a platform where upperclassmen could help lowerclassmen navigate the education field. It was in this position that I truly understood the importance of guidance, no matter your age.
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Both my parents and my older brother are teachers, so I always felt that teaching was in my genes. But it is my work, leadership, and clinical experiences that have proved over the years that teaching is what I am meant to do. In a time of uncertainty, the one thing that I am certain of is that I was born to be a teacher.
