New Faculty Profile: Ashton Lay

With the start the 2016-17 school year, ESK welcomed several new teachers to the middle school staff. Over the next few weeks, we will profile each of those teachers. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about each of these teachers – our staff members are truly a great asset for both the school and our students. Today, we feature our new middle school choral director Ashton Lay. Ashton brings a great wealth of experience and passion for music and a cappella to ESK.

 

Ashton Lay

MS Choral Director

4 years of experience

 

Where did you work prior to coming to ESK? 

Grundy County Schools and Osceola County in Central Florida

 

What made you decide to become a teacher? 

I have always had a love for learning and a love for people. I helped my little sister through third grade in a home school program and always knew I wanted to be a teacher.

 

What was it about ESK that made you want to be a teacher here? 

ESK is unlike any school I have ever seen. Students come first and the staff/faculty work so well together to keep student learning a priority. I remember the first time I visited ESK and feeling so much positive energy in the air.

 

What aspect of teaching are you most passionate about? 

I am really passionate about facilitating student growth beyond the content area. My favorite teaching moments are when students discover a strength or talent for the first time.

 

What is a unique experience, talent or interest that you bring to your classroom to help shape the learning experience of your students?

I had the privilege of leading UT’s female a cappella group reVOLution. We performed at community events, competed against other college groups and had the honor to meet and perform with Avi Kaplan, from Pentatonix.

 

What do you want your students to gain from having known you?

I want my students to gain confidence in their abilities, not only in the choral setting, but in everything they do.