Ashley Watson '16

From Friday Night Football games as a child, to a current member of the Elyria Catholic Faculty & Staff, Ashley Watson ‘16 has always been a Panther at heart. From a young age, Ashley knew she’d attend EC some day as she spent various nights and weekends at EC sporting events and youth camps. 

Once she entered high school, she quickly became involved in multiple clubs and sports teams such as Peer Ministry, Varsity Soccer, and the Varsity Swim Team.

“Most days it felt like I spent more time at the school than I did at my own home so EC quickly started to feel like a second home to me. My favorite days while attending EC were rally and Mass days. Seeing everyone come together in the school to celebrate not only our faith but the community of EC always left me with a good feeling and a sense of pride in my school.” 

After graduating from EC in 2016, Ashley earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Education. Last summer Ashley was hired as an Intervention Specialist at Elyria Catholic where she primarily works with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. She also co-taught English and Algebra and was the Assistant Director of the Spring Musical, The Wizard of Oz.

“Two of the greatest values I learned while attending EC were excellence and compassion. Especially after graduation excellence became a huge driving source in my life, I found myself being motivated, and always going the extra mile not only in school but in my work. As an educator now, compassion is one of the biggest values a teacher can possess. My students deserve to have a teacher that strives for excellence and compassion and who holds themselves accountable”

Ashley says the pillars of Elyria Catholic help her design not only expectations for herself, but her students as well. One aspect of her job that is most important is making personal connections with her students and learning about who they are as well as their likes and interests. 

“My teaching philosophy is that everyone deserves the right to a quality education and that every single student can learn. Helping students learn and find an interest and a purpose in their lives is what drives me to come to work everyday and motivates me to be the best educator I can for them.”