Ashley Kohn
M.Ed. Elementary Education, DePaul University
Teaching Philosophy
Important skills I want to teach my students
The most important skill I want to teach my students is resilience. I want them to understand that it’s okay to make mistakes and that they can learn and grow from challenges. Building resilience will help them face obstacles in any academic subject or social situation with a positive attitude!
Teaching methods to reach these goals
To help my students build resilience, I incorporate hands-on activities that encourage problem-solving, allowing them to experience challenges in a supportive environment. Additionally, I create a classroom culture where mistakes are celebrated as opportunities to grow, and encourage reflection on their experiences.
My favorite projects
If I had to pick a favorite activity in first grade it would absolutely be our Fifth Grade Buddy Program. At the beginning of the school year, each first grader is paired with a fifth grade buddy. We spend time with our buddies monthly, whether that be working together on a creative writing project, support with design in Project Math, or just eating lunch and playing on the playground. We even take an annual field trip together to the Cincinnati Zoo! Buddies send mail back and forth all year long and truly become a support system for our first graders. They always remember their fifth grade buddies and look forward to becoming buddies themselves one day!
What I like best about teaching at Seven Hills
The best part about teaching at Seven Hills is my colleagues. I am constantly trying to be better or improve in my teaching, and I have the best people around me to do that. I feel safe asking silly questions or trying out new ideas. I also attended Seven Hills as a student, beginning in first grade at Lotspeich, and it is uniquely special to teach in the community that provided me with such an incredible school experience.