Golden Apple: Ashley Beers at FCCA Pre-K Counts
A teacher in Meadville is the recipient of this week's JET 24 PennWest University Golden Apple Award.
Ashley Beers teaches preschool at one of 11 FCCA Pre-K Counts locations in Crawford County.
Beers said she's has wanted to be a pre-k teacher most of her life. 'My grandma still has pictures of me drawing what I wanted to do when I was a grown-up, and I have on there a preschool teacher,' she said.
A graduate of Edinboro University, she's been teaching little people for a decade.
'My favorite thing is the moment when they figure something out. You can see it in their face and their eyes. I mastered this, I figured this out. It's pure joy!'
And that joy extends to the parents of these students, like Nicole Weber, whose son Michael is in this class.
Weber says, 'Ashley from day one has met Michael where he's at. Mike has some speech problems. He's a hyper little boy. Each day she comes in and treats Michael like one of her own, and that's really important for a mom.'
Weber says Beer's ability to individualize her approach, while maintaining a warm and inclusive classroom, produces positive results.
PennWest University professor Mary Jo Melvin PhD agrees. 'Not only has Miss Ashley made an impact on Michael, but she's made an impact on a family that will be forever grateful.'
The newly awarded Golden Apple teacher said, 'I want all these children in my classroom to come here, feel safe, to feel like they belong here. To feel like they have somebody that loves them unconditionally. And I try every day to make sure they have that. They might not leave here knowing their ABC's. But they will leave here knowing they are loved.'
Each week, the Golden Apple teacher is rewarded with a cash donation from Big Ideas Learning.
'We are so happy to donate $250 to Ms Beers. She is making a lasting impression on the young minds from an early age, to love learning. And we hope that our donation can support that effort throughout the rest of the school year,' said Carissa Snarski of Big Ideas Learning.
To nominate your favorite teacher for a Golden Apple Award, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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