-by Svetla Tomanova
In early April, the Teacher of the Year committee shared the names of the finalists of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ 2023 Citywide Teacher of the Year. Today, we’re celebrating the third candidate. More to follow in this series of profiles about each distinguished finalist. The citywide winner will be announced at the end of the week.
Ashley Houchins is a proud Kempsville High School (KHS) graduate and devoted to her profession. Houchins contributes her passion for marketing and entrepreneurship to her Kempsville teachers who “challenged her to think critically” and “inspired her to make a difference in the world.”
Before a teaching career in KHS was on Houchins’ radar, she met one of her biggest role models, KHS’ Entrepreneurship & Business Academy (EBA) Coordinator Meghan Timlin, when she took the leadership skills and development class. In praise of her mentor, Houchins said “Ms. Timlin inspired her to provide the same educational experience to her students.”
She returned to her high school in 2016 and currently serves as the EBA’s marketing teacher – forging connections, improving instructional practice, implementing a new curriculum, and imparting her knowledge to academy freshmen and sophomores.
“I teach because I believe that all students can learn and use their voice to enact a positive change in their community,” wrote Houchins in her Teacher of the Year application.
Between planning a leadership workshop, co-sponsoring DECA, running the INCubatoredu and ACCELeratoredu, as well as scheduling EBA master classes, Houchins continues to expand her professional skill set.
By partnering with local community experts, Houchins ensures her students are exposed to “real-world” examples and are challenged the same way she was by her mentors. In the last five years, she has invited to her classroom over 50 experts in various areas, including 3D printing, intellectual property, and marketing strategies, providing her students with an enhanced experience and connect them to the community in “relevant ways.”
“Ms. Houchins is an outstanding advocate for her students,” noted Melissa George, principal of Kempsville High School. “She provides many opportunities for them through her participation in field trips to businesses and higher education institutions.”
Houchins was instrumental in bringing a revolutionary course to KHS called INCubatoredu, which is the cornerstone of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation strand offered within the academy. Through the INCubatoredu class, students create their ideas for products and businesses. At the end of the course, they can participate in Pitch Night in hopes of acquiring seed money. The educational experience of INCubatoredu doesn’t stop at Pitch Night. The student teams that are fortunate to be funded have opportunities to advance to the next level: ACCELeratoredu.
“Ms. Houchins is always open to students who want to discuss new business ideas,” Evan Nied, a former student, wrote in a recommendation letter. “She has been a mentor and instrumental in helping me and fellow students cultivate our skills in entrepreneurship, collaboration, and teamwork as well as advise us on how to start, operate and successfully run businesses.”
Sarah Routsis extolled the virtues of her colleague by highlighting in her recommendation letter Houchins’ “love of learning” and “constant enthusiasm and encouragement of students.”
Houchins said her philosophy is simple: Teaching is about encouraging personalized learning that is built upon the passion of students. Her door is always open to students who want to bring their business ideas.
I’m so proud of you, Ashley! Your students are always in the forefront of your decision-making. You make every educator you interact with better! Thank you for being an amazing educator!