The Advanced Achievement in Teaching Award recognizes TAs with four or more semesters of teaching experience at UW–Madison who are not in the final year of a PhD.
Ashley is a PhD candidate in the human development area of Educational Psychology, where she studies how cognitive processes influence preschool children’s ability to learn different types of words (for example, abstract words and words with multiple meanings). She has served as the teaching assistant for multiple human development classes spanning infancy through adolescence. Most recently, in fall of 2025, she was the instructor of record for Human Development in Infancy and Childhood.
“The core of my teaching philosophy is fostering students’ growth as independent learners and rigorous critical thinkers. Working with students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison makes this work especially rewarding: they engage deeply, ask incisive questions, and continually challenge themselves and me. Watching their analytical skills grow is one of my favorite things about teaching,” Ashley said. “Additionally, I value the flexibility to refine my courses over time, aligning them with my teaching goals while responding to students’ needs. Sharing my passion for child development and helping students see its relevance in their own lives allows me to support both their intellectual growth and the broader skills they will carry beyond the classroom.”
Read the full article at: https://grad.wisc.edu/2026/03/23/2025-26-ta-awards-announced/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQvcjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhTG16bUdPU0Q3NnNiYk11c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtQWkWN_9MROgkIygigi_cD_eUOTzLL3nKZPdOncXqgat-v1vzSPKqTNNDi3_aem_2DUn4xbShdUMbW5aJCRWHQ