Ashley Clayton digs in to help out other staff members during tug of war at Spring Fest olympics. Having played and coached a variety of sports, she knows the importance of teamwork and perseverance, and she is always quick to acknowledge the work of her colleagues in helping Holyoke students navigate their circumstances to be successful. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Who’s excited for seventh grade? Who’s nervous? Who’s excited and nervous? Ashley Clayton tells sixth graders that it’s fine to be both as she passes out papers with questions she will use to get to know them so she can help them smoothly transition to junior high. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Ashley Clayton, at right, hands seventh grader Marcelo Chaparro his honor roll certificate Tuesday, Jan. 12. That day, Clayton passed out certificates to the 175 students who were on the 4.0, superintendent’s and principal’s honor rolls for the first semester. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Pictured from left and showing their Dragon pride in 1990s era HHS track attire during a twin-themed dress-up day are Summer Maloney, Heather Bieber, Ashley Clayton, Jade Goldenstein and Desiree Mosenteen. Recent Spring Fest activities and dress-up days were put on at HHS since COVID-19 prevented a normal homecoming week in the fall. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Up to the challenge
When talking about leadership and Ashley Clayton, it can be difficult to know just where to begin.
You could start with the fact that she jumped into her new role as Holyoke JR/SR High School counselor in a year when COVID-19 continued to change and challenge the education landscape, ready to take on the difficulties head-on.
Or you could begin by listing the many kind gestures and acts of encouragement that she shows to students and colleagues.
But it might be easiest to start with the fact that she is a leader because that is simply who she is, and that’s why she’s Holyoke School District’s Leader Among Us for this year’s Emerald Awards.
A leader in any role
In her letter nominating Clayton, Holyoke JR/SR High School English as a second language teacher Desiree Mosenteen wrote that leadership is never about the role, but the goal.
“This is of particular note this year as Ashley has transitioned from serving as one of our strongest teachers to the role of school counselor,” she said, adding that regardless of her role, Clayton makes a difference in the success of both staff and students, and only true leaders support others in such a way.
These thoughts were echoed by vo-ag teacher Shauna Strecker and English teacher Heather Bieber in their nomination letters.
“There was no denying that coming into this school year would be a large feat for any counselor,” Strecker wrote, “but Ashley took the challenge head on and has been the exact person we need in that position, for both the students and the staff.”
Bieber wrote that Clayton moved into her new position as counselor in a year of turmoil, but students and teachers alike knew that no matter what question they had, they could turn to Clayton, who would listen with an open mind and offer sound, honest advice.
Before taking on the role of counselor this school year, Clayton taught science at Holyoke JR/SR High for 12 years. Her bold approach to making sure students had fun while still finding the real-world applications beyond the theory earned her the Innovator of the Year Emerald Award in 2013.
As counselor, she tries to help create an environment and school culture that allows every student to have their academic, developmental and socio-emotional needs met. This includes everything from assisting students with their college and career planning to helping teachers with seminar lessons to help prepare students for the future.
“All we can ask is for Mrs. Clayton to keep being Mrs. Clayton,” family and consumer sciences teacher Karen Ortner wrote in her nomination letter. She added that Clayton takes real steps to improve the emotional health and well-being of students and co-workers in addition to working to improve school policies and programs.
Click here to read the full article in our free Emerald Awards section.