We are delighted to announce Ashley Crawford as our new Senior Director of Education, leading the school’s education team. She will assume her role full-time June 9, 2023.
Ashley has been a dynamic member of the TPMS staff and a dedicated and skilled Montessori educator, leading her team of assistants and collaborating with her colleagues over the past four years. Her selection was among a group of local and regional candidates all with deep Montessori education experience.
She is assuming an incredible new role with expanded scope to further our school’s role in the community and standing as a school of excellence in Montessori education. In this role, she will lead and collaborate closely with Guides and Assistants, prioritize children’s education, support parents and families, be a key leadership administrative colleague, support and partner closely with the Head of School, and build strategic relationships within the Montessori community including Preschool Promise.
Spanning twenty-two years, Ashley has honed her academic and professional skills in education that includes work in over four continents in public and private education programs. Throughout her pursuits in education, she has centered her professional endeavors and belief that Montessori pedagogy serving toddler, primary, and elementary age is her preferred method of instruction. She has a Master’s Degree in Education and also achieved her Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) training at Montessori Northwest in 2012. She also has led Primary classrooms at two Portland Montessori schools.
Additionally, her experience extends beyond the classroom with work in administrative leadership roles. Prior to pursuing her Montessori training, Ashley served as the Country Director for WorldTeach Tanzania. She created and directed two new teaching programs in the east African nation for the Harvard University-based international education organization. She has taught, studied and lived in Nepal, Mexico, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, Zanzibar and Tanzania, including cities across the United States.
Ashley is drawn to and thrives in people-centered environments and aligns with equity in education and building inclusive learning environments. In addition to her excellent teaching skills, she will bring forward her leadership approach as an adaptive and responsive leader and effective listener and communicator.
Ashley wanted to also share a personal note to all of you:
“I am excited to join our school’s strong leadership team to help provide support for our dedicated school community and to ground us in our transitions forward. Just as is my priority as a Classroom Guide, my focus will always be centering the needs of each child at our school. I remain dedicated, as ever, to our school providing high quality, equitable Montessori education.”
Warmly, Ashley
In the interim, she will remain as the Guide in the Swifts Classroom with no disruption to her priority teaching and supporting her students and assistants. We are thrilled to have her continuing her experience and dedication to our students and families in this new pivotal leadership role for our school community.
