Teacher of the Year: Vallery gives students the tools, instruction, support they need

American Press

26-04-2025

Ashley Vallery — who teaches third grade special education at Western Heights Elementary in Westlake — is the American Press and Don's Car Wash Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with her classroom's paraprofessionals, Mrs. Sittig and Mrs. Valdez. (Emily Burleigh / American Press)
This might be Ashley Vallery's first year as an educator, but she has been a teacher for much of her life.
She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Washington-Marion High School. She recalled being an athletic 'OK student' who maintained good grades to keep participating in sports.
'I knew I couldn't bring anything home less than a 'B,' so there were some late nights and early mornings for me as a child to make sure schoolwork was completed.'
In high school, she had a coach who was 'young by determination' and motivated her to give it her all.
'Those experiences definitely resurfaced when I started this journey and how I could be as an educator,' she said. 'However, I never actually thought about being an educator until I went back to school as an adult.'
She went to college at Louisiana State University at Eunice and McNeese State University, eventually earning a degree in general studies with a concentration in behavioral sciences.
Vallery decided to go back to school to finish her degree to be an example to her own children.
'I wanted to be a role model and show that you are never too old or too late to have dreams and goals.'
During the time in between, she helped her children with homework and sports, and worked as a Calcasieu Parish School Board bus operator in Westlake. As a driver, she discovered how much she enjoyed working with children.
'I saw the connection and value in being a good role model for those students at the first of the school day and the end of the day. These things helped to open my thoughts to pursuing a career in teaching.'
She has also spent several years working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism.
'Academically, many of the individuals I worked with excelled in certain areas but did struggle with life and social skills,' she said. 'I worked one-on-one and in group settings in the community, teaching and supporting these valuable skills.'
Vallery also volunteers as a coach at the local recreation center with boys' and girls' basketball teams, and coaches the youth wrestling club, Bronco Wrestling Club.
She teaches third grade special education, which covers all subjects. Early in her teacher journey, she knew she wanted to teach lower elementary grades.
'With my previous career experiences, my understanding, and patience, I have always felt I was meant to work with those with developmental disabilities or
different learning abilities,' she explained. 'When I was offered this opportunity, I could not pass it up. I strongly feel things lie up and happen for a reason.'
Her philosophy is that any student can learn, no matter the obstacles, if their educators give them the tools, instruction and support they need.
No day is the same in her classroom. In a SPED combo classroom, structure and flexibility are paramount because of each student's unique needs. She has learned to effectively manage a wide range of behaviors while celebrating small victories.
'There were tough moments when I questioned if I was doing enough or reaching every child. But there were also beautiful moments watching a student meet a goal, gain confidence, or feel truly seen and supported. Those are the moments that keep me going.'
Each school day starts with Vallery uplifting her students to create a positive second home for them.
'I can make them all feel welcome and safe, with the hope that we can provide an environment that they want to show up to,' she said. 'If we can get a student motivated enough to show up and really want to be in our classroom, we have already achieved a great deal.'
This second home housed at Western Heights is 'loving, safe and structured.' There are areas for sensory work, an area for relaxation and enough space for students to 'move around and let some of their energy out.'
She is grateful for her team, Mrs. Sittig and Mrs. Valdez, who have helped her along the way.
'They have supported me and the students, helped me to provide all the things that are needed and come up with bright ideas and problem-solving, so our students enjoy coming to school and learning.'
The position has been a 'great match' for Vallery, who is deeply connected to the Westlake community. In her experience, those who feel drawn to teaching should always be open to new opportunities and remember it does not have to be 'a cookie-cutter career.'
'I really did not want to work anywhere else, I wanted to be a part of fostering that community feeling, and teach and work in this community,' she explained. 'If you have passion and drive to share your time and be inspiring, then you may be a great fit for teaching our youth.'
At the end of her first year as a teacher, what she calls a 'powerful journey,' Vallery's emotions are a mix of 'exhaustion, growth and immense pride.' She has been challenged in a way that has solidified her passion for the career.
Moving forward with 'heart, patience and persistence,' she is excited to develop even more as an educator next year. Teaching is now a vocation that comes with responsibility, she said, and her priorities for the 2025-26 school year are to refine her routines, discover new avenues for student success and to grow with a 'renewed sense of purpose and passion.'
'It drives me to show up fully, to advocate for my students, and to give them the tools they need to grow not just academically, but as confident, compassionate individuals,' she concluded. 'Helping shape the future, one student at a time, is a privilege I don't take lightly.'