Meet Ashley Henry, Senior of Significance

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Ashley Henry, from Claremore, Okla., studies elementary education and plans to earn her master’s and doctorate in education to pursue a career training preservice educators.

What is your proudest OSU accomplishment?

Serving in the NASA mentorship program will provide me nearly 250 hours of professional development training in science, technology engineering and math (STEM) education training. I’m proud of how it is helping me to better myself as a future educator.

My NASA responsibilities include attending an international educators virtual conference, Space Exploration Educators Conference, which is typically held at the NASA Houston Space Center but will be virtual this year due to COVID. I have learned many STEM-based activities to use in my future classroom, and I have even built and launched a model rocket.

Why is STEM so important in the classroom?

STEM helps students build problem-solving skills at a young age, and its inquiry-based learning brings a more student-centered approach. As I teach STEM-based activities, I have expanded my own understanding of science. If this can happen for me as a college student imagine what this can do for all ages K-12!

What activities have you been involved with at OSU?

I’ve volunteered with Into the Streets during all four of my years here at OSU. As a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, I have served as head homecoming director and helped organize philanthropy events. I’m also a part of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society and have served as an Order of Omega executive officer. Outside of OSU, I have supported Zebra Stripes camp and also worked as a public relations office assistant for Claremore Public Schools.

What inspired you to go into education?

During the summers, I have worked for Claremore Public School’s childcare program. I was talking to my mom one weekend over the summer about how much I loved the kids, and it was like a lightbulb went off in her head. She asked me why I wasn’t studying education, so I talked with a teacher friend. Within the next week, I was working to change my major.

How do you make learning come alive in your classroom?

I try to be as hands-on as possible, so students are not just listening to me as the teacher without getting involved. Teaching to a student’s interests requires me to be willing to adapt and sometimes take on extra work, but it is worth it when I see my students excited and engaged with the lesson.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany Bowman | 405-744-9347 | brittany.bowman@okstate.edu