Meet Ashley Bryan | Preschool Teacher and Resource Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Bryan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, how do you define success?
When I first started The Pre K Day, I thought to myself, if I can help at least one other teacher, I will have succeeded. I would share activities, lessons and tips that I found helpful in the classroom on Instagram for others to hopefully find useful as well. I felt like I was doing what I wanted to achieve if someone would tell me they liked the idea or they would try it. Today, I have a much larger following and have helped many teachers and parents with my ideas and products, but I still hold true to the thought that helping anyone – even just one – is a success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a preschool teacher and have been for the last 10 years. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a teacher but always imagined myself teaching first grade. As I went through schooling and field placements, I made connections to the preschool world that I didn’t expect. After I graduated, I interviewed at a school that was looking for a preschool and first grade position, they offered me the preschool class and I never looked back. Preschool is a world of it’s own – like each grade, I am sure. But preschool is a child and families first experience with a school district – with teachers, and assistant staff and lunch ladies, etc. It is so important to me to set that tone for what school can be for a student. After spending my days with young kids, I craved collaboration with colleagues and found that through Instagram. I followed other accounts, ran by teachers who shared ideas and tips and even resources to use in my own classroom. I thought “I have knowledge to offer too!”. So I created The Pre K Day in 2014 and I never looked back.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live for the simple joys in life and can find them most anywhere! Downtown Newark is great place to eat, shop or grab a drink. Patio seating is where you’ll find me on a nice day. We would visit the Canal Street Farmer’s Market as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My students motivate me every single day. I became a teacher for the kids, and I stay a teacher for the kids. I am constantly amazed by their ideas, their kindness and their learning.

Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-pre-k-day

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprekday

Image Credits
Ashley Bryan