Alumni Spotlight | Ashley Lancaster, M.S.'10

I grew up in Walkersville, Maryland, and attended McDaniel College for my undergraduate degree, where I majored in mathematics and minored in secondary education. Upon graduating in 2007, I was hired by Frederick County Public Schools and began working at Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School in Frederick, Maryland. I taught there for 13 years, teaching a broad spectrum of math classes ranging from English Language Learners to accelerated high school–level courses.

I earned my master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Hood College in 2010. I received my initial National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics in 2018 and completed my Maintenance of Certification in 2023. I joined the Frederick County Virtual School in 2020 and currently teach Algebra 1 and Geometry to accelerated middle school students.
 

I am very honored and humbled by this nomination. I am not a teacher who works toward recognition—I’m sure most teachers feel the same way. Honestly, I feel blessed to have such an incredible job and to work not only with amazing students, but also alongside such supportive colleagues.

This nomination represents a culmination of years of hard work—applying what I learned in undergraduate and graduate courses, professional development opportunities and from the countless people who have walked alongside me, supported me and taught me throughout my 18+ years with FCPS. Over the years, I have learned the importance of a supportive network of colleagues, parents and others. Teaching truly takes a community, and I have deeply valued the relationships I have built.

My mindset about teaching has evolved over time. While I continue to place a strong focus on standards and what needs to be taught and learned, I now place an even greater emphasis on the relationships built with students and others in the school community. I truly love what I do, and to be completely honest, I do not consider what I do a “job,” but rather something I am honored to do.

The location was key for me, as Hood College is within 15 minutes of both my work and home. FCPS also has a strong partnership with Hood College, and Hood has a wonderful reputation for providing high-level education, so it was an easy decision for me. When I learned that a new graduate program in mathematics education was starting, I felt the timing was meant to be. With two tracks offered, one for high school teachers and another for middle school teachers, I knew it would be a great opportunity to connect with other middle school educators in a program focused specifically on the level of students I teach. The list of courses all seemed highly relevant, and I knew I would be able to immediately apply what I learned to my classroom. I wanted to truly understand the “why” behind the math I was teaching and learn effective strategies to best support my students.
 

All of my classes at Hood were small, which allowed me to personally get to know and interact with my professors. They were passionate about the mathematics they were teaching and about forming close connections with their students. My professors instilled in me a love for learning, and I became a better teacher because of their expertise and mentorship. I am still able to directly apply much of what I learned at Hood in my own classroom. When teaching, I make sure not only to show students how the math works, but also to delve deeper into the “why” and explore why what we are learning truly matters.
 

I had several courses with Professor Christy Graybeal and Professor Betty Mayfield while at Hood College, and they truly inspired me to become a better teacher. Their high level of organization and instruction, along with their patience, authenticity and kindness, made every class a joy to attend. It was so evident that they loved teaching and getting to know their students. I strive to replicate their approach in my own classroom—they challenged us, but were always right alongside us, supporting us every step of the way. I also loved the close-knit group of students I was in classes with at Hood. We had almost all of our courses together, which allowed us to get to know one another well and learn from each other. In fact, two of my former classmates are now colleagues of mine.

You will not regret it! There are so many opportunities in education, and you get to choose your own path. One of my favorite experiences is seeing former students in the Frederick community, sometimes working at local restaurants or stores, and hearing about their lives after middle school and their accomplishments. While I sometimes do not recognize them because they have grown up over the years, I truly appreciate and feel honored when they come up to me and say, “You were my 8th grade math teacher!” Teaching really does leave a lasting impact on students’ lives. Recently, in class, we highlighted NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and discussed her incredible career. I shared this quote of hers with my students: “Like what you do, and then you will do your best.” I completely agree!

Inspired by Ashley’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, including mathematics education.