Ashley Williford
Tomah,WI
Summary
Passionate and dedicated theatre educator with 6+ years of experience in teaching innovative strategies in drama education, directing productions, and developing theatre curriculum using the 'Understanding by Design' framework. Committed to fostering creativity, empathy, and resilience in students by exploring the transformative power of theatre. Skilled in dramaturgy, advocacy, and integrating historical and cultural contexts into the classroom and stage. Strives to create engaging, inclusive learning environments and inspiring students to use theatre as a tool for self-expression, social awareness, and artistic excellence.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Jobs for American Graduates Career Specialist
Forward Service Corporation
08.2024 - Current
- Certified Trauma-Informed Teacher, empowering high school students facing social, emotional, and economic barriers to overcome challenges and thrive in a supportive environment.
- Design and implement engaging, differentiated curricula focusing on career readiness, workforce development, leadership development, social-emotional learning, and essential life skills.
- Facilitate and oversee a student-led Career Association, guiding students in planning and executing activities such as college visits, guest speaker events, internships, and community service projects.
- Expose students to diverse career pathways, helping them set and achieve personal, academic, and professional goals.
- Mentor students to build resilience, confidence, and professional skills while fostering accountability and workforce readiness.
- Advocate for equity and opportunity by celebrating student achievements and bridging the gap between school and future aspirations.
- Foster a trauma-informed classroom environment that supports emotional well-being, resilience, and growth.
- Cultivate a safe and inclusive space where students can become compassionate, engaged members of their communities.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
State Thespian Officer Student Liaison/Board Member
New Mexico Thespians
08.2019 - Current
- Actively contributes to the strategic planning and decision-making process for the annual New Mexico Thespians National Thespian Conference and New Mexico Activities Association State One-Act Competition.
- Collaborates with fellow board members to develop and implement initiatives that promote educational theatre, enhance student engagement, and support drama education in the state.
- Participates in regular board meetings, offering insights, recommendations, and feedback to ensure the successful execution of the organization's missions and goals.
- Serves as a liaison between the student body and the board, communicating student viewpoints, needs, and ideas to enhance the overall achievement of the organization.
- Organizes and leads professional development workshops for educators addressing current trends, instructional strategies, and best practices in drama education.
- Provides guidance and mentorship to New Mexico State Thespian Officers.
- Facilitates organizing student-led activities and projects to engage with the community and promote educational outreach projects.
- Contributes to developing and reviewing the association's policies, regulations, and bylaws, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance.
- Prepares presentations for closing ceremonies for the National Thespian Festival and NMAA State competitions.
Education Service Advisor (Counselor)
IBEX IT/Department of the Army 88th RD
11.2022 - 08.2024
- Conducted comprehensive needs assessments to provide Soldiers and their families with tailored educational support.
- Delivered educational briefings on Army Ignited, Tuition Assistance, and testing opportunities.
- Assisted the Educational Services Specialist in training leaders and staff to increase awareness of support services through unit and newcomer briefings.
- Prepared and submitted monthly progress reports to evaluate center performance.
- Guided Soldiers through degree programs, certification programs, and testing opportunities.
- Provided critical information on financial aid options such as FAFSA, scholarships, and GI Bills.
- Assisted with setting educational goals, reviewing degree plans, recalculating GPAs, and transcript evaluations.
- Planned and taught weekly English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
- Administered and proctored college and Emergency Service Training exams.
- Documented client interactions and services in the Army Ignited portal with precision and consistency.
- Supported the Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP) delivery as needed.
Tutorial/Credit Recovery Teacher
Farmington High School
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Established an accommodating and encouraging learning environment that enabled students to finish credit recovery courses at their own pace via the Edgenuity platform.
- Implemented weekly grade-tracking assignments.
- Taught lessons on workforce readiness, including career planning, career pathways, and soft skills like interviewing, problem-solving, communication, and ethics in the workplace, as well as how to fill out job applications and write resumes and cover letters.
- Delivered lessons regarding college preparation and alternatives to college.
- Met one-on-one with students once a week to discuss goals for the following week.
- Conducted biweekly progress reports to inform parents about their student's grades and credit recovery progress.
Theatre Teacher/Director
Farmington High School
07.2017 - 07.2022
- Designed, wrote, and implemented National Core Arts Standards-based curriculum/lesson plans for a variety of subjects, including "Intro to Theatre," "Technical Theatre," "Directing and Playwriting," and "Advanced Acting."
- Employed various instructional strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and "Individual Education Plans" to maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
- Wrote and implemented behavioral plans/contracts in collaboration with students and parents.
- Created and edited instructional materials, including reports, handouts, and presentations, to showcase data and enhance students' understanding of complex concepts.
- Integrated technology and multimedia resources to enhance the learning experience.
- Collaborated with the special education department to develop and implement a "Theatre for Special Needs" program emphasizing inclusion, self-expression, communication and social skills, and stress relief.
- Conducted workshop sessions to improve students' proficiency in writing and editing scripts, reports, and other theatrical content.
- Collaborated with students on creating and producing original scripts, fostering a culture of creativity and self-expression.
- Executed and directed 4-6 dramatic performances a year, overseeing everything from script selections and technical aspects to final performance.
- Implemented innovative set design and technical elements, enhancing the overall production quality.
- Attended and competed at numerous state, national, and international theatre competitions.
- Facilitated a student-led after-school drama club/Thespian Troupe.
- Developed and maintained the school's social media website, regularly updating content to inform parents and students about upcoming productions, events, and achievements.
- Created and edited promotional and informational materials, including brochures, posters, and programs, to effectively market and showcase school productions.
- Collaborated with colleagues to write and review grant proposals, securing funding for special theatre projects, trips, and equipment.
- Regularly conducted parent-teacher conferences and communicated with parents to discuss student performance and concerns.
- Tracked and analyzed the progress of over 100 students.
- Implemented suitable timeframes and delivered comprehensive guidelines for tasks.
- Adhered to and abided by copyright regulations when producing plays.
- Fostered a culture of trust, growth, learning, and self-accountability.
ESL Teacher
VIPKID
05.2019 - 05.2020
- Taught lessons encompassing a range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading, and listening.
- Provided one-on-one instruction for non-English speaking students via online classroom settings.
- Employed kinesthetic, visual, and auditory approaches to make lessons engaging and interactive.
- Performed skill evaluations to discover areas of interest and competencies in students.
- Made complex language rules digestible to students.
- Improved student grammar and conversational skills through role-play assignments.
Substitute Teacher
Piedra Vista High School
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Delivered pre-prepared lesson plans and instructional materials provided by the regular classroom teacher, ensuring continuity of instruction and engagement in learning activities across various subjects and grade levels.
- Provided notes and reports on school day activities to the primary teacher.
- Educated students in various subjects to provide seamless transition during teacher absence.
- Maintained student attendance and assignment records to prevent lapses during teacher absences.
- Enforced classroom routines to keep students on schedule and operating at a consistent level.
Assistant Director
Durango Arts Center Youth Theatre
06.2017 - 07.2017
- Coordinated and directed dramatic performances with up to 30 students, fostering creativity and teamwork.
- Facilitated student-led costume design and makeup application, encouraging hands-on learning and collaboration.
- Assisted with set/lighting design and stage prop assembly, ensuring high-quality production elements.
- Created a supportive learning environment by assistant directing DYSTOPIA, casting students in challenging roles to enhance their skills and confidence.
- Led warm-ups and improv games, gradually empowering students to take leadership roles in activities.
- Collaborated with the Camp Director to plan curriculum and daily schedules, aligning activities with camp goals and student needs.
- Ensured a safe and inclusive environment by strictly adhering to safety protocols to minimize incidents.
Theatre Student Teacher
Piedra Vista High School
01.2017 - 05.2017
- Observed and analyzed instructional methods for beginner and advanced theatre students, gaining insight into effective teaching strategies and curriculum delivery.
- Collaborated in planning and implementing lessons, activities, and unit-based assignments, culminating in a devised theatre performance.
- Demonstrated openness to constructive feedback, proactively addressing areas for improvement to enhance teaching effectiveness.
- Established and maintained classroom management by enforcing clear behavioral expectations and procedures.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of lesson plans, making data-informed adjustments to optimize student learning outcomes.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to accommodate diverse learning needs, interests, and abilities.
- Partnered with a mentor teacher to develop instructional goals and lesson plans that aligned with the National Core Arts Standards, focusing on various drama techniques.
- Supported the classroom teacher with administrative tasks, including preparing, typing, copying, and organizing instructional materials.
Education
Master of Arts - Theatre Education
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO12-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre – Secondary Drama Teaching Opt.
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO04-2017
Associate of Arts - Theatre Emphasis
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO05-2014
Skills
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Curriculum Development
- Parent-teacher communication
- Behavior management
- Differentiated instruction
- Collaborative learning
- Student-centered learning
- Social-emotional learning training
Accomplishments
- 1st Place Stage Management (Fall 2018)
- 1st Place Lighting Design (Fall 2018)
- 2nd Place Duet Acting (Fall 2018)
- 3rd Place Duet Acting (Fall 2018
- 1st Place Lighting Design (Fall 2019)
- 3rd Place Stage Management (Fall 2019)
New Mexico Activities Association One-Act Competition Runner-up (Spring 2022)
National Thespian Festival (These are student achievements under my guidance):
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Acting Nominee (Spring 2016)
Certification
- Transition to Success Coach (Trauma Informed Teaching)
Timeline
Jobs for American Graduates Career Specialist
Forward Service Corporation
08.2024 - Current
Education Service Advisor (Counselor)
IBEX IT/Department of the Army 88th RD
11.2022 - 08.2024
Tutorial/Credit Recovery Teacher
Farmington High School
08.2021 - 07.2022
State Thespian Officer Student Liaison/Board Member
New Mexico Thespians
08.2019 - Current
ESL Teacher
VIPKID
05.2019 - 05.2020
Substitute Teacher
Piedra Vista High School
01.2019 - 05.2019
Theatre Teacher/Director
Farmington High School
07.2017 - 07.2022
Assistant Director
Durango Arts Center Youth Theatre
06.2017 - 07.2017
Theatre Student Teacher
Piedra Vista High School
01.2017 - 05.2017
- Transition to Success Coach (Trauma Informed Teaching)
Master of Arts - Theatre Education
University of Northern Colorado
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre – Secondary Drama Teaching Opt.
Fort Lewis College
Associate of Arts - Theatre Emphasis
Colorado Mountain College
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