Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Certification
Quote
Accomplishments
Skills
Timeline
Affiliations
Websites
Hi, I’m

Ashley Craig

Instructional Designer
Ashley Craig

Summary

Ashley Craig, M.Ed., is an instructional designer, educator, and training specialist. She began her career in education after earning an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Sam Houston State University, where she focused on individuals with disabilities. Ashley excelled in her teaching career by promoting equality and designing innovative teaching practices along with specialized support services that made a lasting impact on the program. This success motivated her to pursue a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on Learning, Design, and Technology.

As the spouse of an Army veteran, Ashley became a member of the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) community in 2020 during a pivotal moment in her life. Her involvement in this peer-led group, coupled with the loss of a loved one to suicide, had a profound impact on her. This experience ultimately inspired her to change her career path. Ashley began her new career by working directly with military and veteran families, helping them access vital mental health support and resources while continuing to facilitate peer-led groups for VSN.

In March 2022, Ashley joined the Veteran Spouse Network team within the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness at the University of Texas at Austin. Over the past few years, she has held several roles at VSN and currently serves as the Learning & Development Manager. Ashley is committed to creating practical training and learning experiences that inspire individuals to engage in conversations about mental health and wellness within the military and veteran community.

Overview

17
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education
12
Certificates

Work History

Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work

Manager, Learning & Development
11.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Supported organizational growth initiatives by contributing insights from participant interactions that informed educational and programmatic development.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop customized training solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Leveraged instructional design best practices to create engaging and impactful learning experiences for leaders and participants at all levels.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of training programs using various assessment tools, providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Developed and maintained a centralized Learning Management System, providing peer leaders easy access to relevant training materials and resources.

Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work

Training Specialist, Suicide Prevention
10.2023 - Current

Job overview

  • Spearheaded updates to existing training materials to maintain relevance with industry best practices and evolving organizational needs.
  • Coordinated logistics for training events, including scheduling facilities, securing necessary materials, and managing participant registration.
  • Influenced policy changes at the organizational level by advocating for evidence-based suicide prevention approaches in collaboration with stakeholders.
  • Designed interactive e-learning modules for remote peer leaders, expanding access to training resources and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, fostering trust and collaboration in support of shared educational awareness goals.

Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work

Manager, Marketing Development & Training
08.2023 - 11.2024

Job overview

  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop customized training solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of training programs using various assessment tools, providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Managed multiple social media platforms for increased engagement and audience growth.
  • Created engaging multimedia content, including graphics, videos, and educational posts to enhance audience experience.

Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work

Coordinator, Marketing & Outreach
03.2022 - 08.2023

Job overview

  • Developed network relationships with industry professionals to enhance community awareness and promote services.
  • Managed multiple social media platforms for increased engagement and audience growth.
  • Developed engaging multimedia content, such as graphics, videos, and educational posts, to improve audience engagement.
  • Facilitated strong relationships with community members by attending local events, serving as a liaison between the organization and its constituents.

Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare

Case Manager, Military & Veteran Services
08.2021 - 03.2022

Job overview

  • Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
  • Participate in community events, outreach/marketing, and assist with communication and linkage with case management services
  • Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
  • Strengthened relationships with community organizations to increase access to supportive resources for clients in need.

Meyerland PVA Middle School | Houston ISD

Campus Coordinator, Special Education Department
08.2015 - 07.2019

Job overview

  • Planned, formulated and assessed goals, policies and services designed to implement data-driven educational objectives and performance standards.
  • Empowered general education teachers and administrators in implementing differentiated strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
  • Facilitated IEP meetings by using family-centered, strength-based approach.
  • Restructured education programming and other specialized services to increase and improve educational outcomes by 35%.
  • Cultivating collaborative relationship and maintaining contact with parents to address concerns and needs of children receiving special education services.

Houston Home Of Hope

Non-profit Instructional Director
05.2013 - 07.2014

Job overview

  • Built non-profit organization from start-up for young adults with Autism by designing educational programming and day-to-day operations.
  • Determined needed and relevant interventions based on each client's cognitive abilities and current needs.
  • Promoted positive client experience through day-to-day supervision and management of residential facility.
  • Recruited, hired and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.

Shadowbriar Elementary | Houston ISD

Lead Teacher, Special Education
01.2009 - 06.2011

Job overview

  • Delivered effective and differentiated individualized classroom instruction to a range of neurodiverse students in third through fifth grade,
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
  • Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with the master schedule and its effectiveness within a structured classroom layout, behavior management, and data collection.
  • Served as a mentor to new teachers entering the field, offering guidance, support, and sharing best practices for successful classroom management.

Education

University of Houston
Houston, TX

Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. from Learning, Design, Technology (GPA:4.0)
01.2019 - 12.2020

University Overview

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Bachelor of Science from Interdisciplinary Studies (GPA: 3.4)
09.2006 - 12.2008

University Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Special Education

  • Nominated for College of Education Sammy Award 2008
  • President's Honor Roll Spring 2008
  • Dean's List Spring 2007

Certification

Graduate Certificate: Online Teaching and Learning

Quote

You will recognize your own path when you come upon it because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.
Sara Teasdale

Accomplishments

Accomplishments

    2025 | North Texas VA Caregiver Summit, Presenter

    2024 | Michael E. DeBakey VA Remembrance Day, Speaker

    2024 | 16th Annual Texas A&M University System Military-Affiliated Symposium, Panelist

    2024 | Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium, Panelist

    2024 | VSN Podcast Episode 11: Healing Journey After Suicide Loss, Guest Speaker

    2024 | VSN Podcast Episode 10: Military & Veteran Kids, Guest Speaker

    2019 | Special Education Recognition for Outstanding Performance

    2019 | Campus Recognition for Innovative Practices

    2010 | District Summer Conference, Session Presenter

    2009 | Special Education Teacher of the Year

Skills

Graphic design

Timeline

Manager, Learning & Development
Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work
11.2024 - Current

Safety Planning Intervention Trainer

10-2024

Certified Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Trainer

11-2023
Training Specialist, Suicide Prevention
Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work
10.2023 - Current
Manager, Marketing Development & Training
Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work
08.2023 - 11.2024

Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Military, Veterans, and their Families

04-2023
Coordinator, Marketing & Outreach
Veteran Spouse Network | UT Social Work
03.2022 - 08.2023

Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Adults

02-2022

Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor

10-2021
Case Manager, Military & Veteran Services
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare
08.2021 - 03.2022

Graduate Certificate: Disability Support

07-2021

Graduate Certificate: Online Teaching and Learning

08-2020

Graduate Certificate: Designing & Developing Educational Graphics

08-2020

Graduate Certificate: Educational Multimedia

08-2020

Texas Educator Certificate: Special Education (EC - 12)

12-2019

Texas Educator Certificate: English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC - 12)

12-2019

Texas Educator Certificate: Generalist (EC - 4)

12-2019
University of Houston
Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. from Learning, Design, Technology (GPA:4.0)
01.2019 - 12.2020
Campus Coordinator, Special Education Department
Meyerland PVA Middle School | Houston ISD
08.2015 - 07.2019
Non-profit Instructional Director
Houston Home Of Hope
05.2013 - 07.2014
Lead Teacher, Special Education
Shadowbriar Elementary | Houston ISD
01.2009 - 06.2011
Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Science from Interdisciplinary Studies (GPA: 3.4)
09.2006 - 12.2008

Affiliations

Affiliations
  • National Council of Mental Wellbeing
  • USAA Foundation | Face the Fight
  • Spiritual Care Network
Ashley Craig Instructional Designer