Upstate Parent's 2023 Educators Who Make A Difference: Ashley Mangum

First Grade, Chandler Creek Elementary School

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Ashley Mangum wants her first grade students at Chandler Creek Elementary School to know that they are loved. She conveys that in the classroom but also at their ball games and after-school activities, where her presence demonstrates that she truly cares about them.

Mangum is in her fourth year as a teacher. Her husband, Ryne Mangum, teaches sixth grade science and social studies in Spartanburg County. Being a teacher was always Mangum’s dream.

“My grandma was a teacher, then a principal for 30 years,” she said. “I saw how much she loved to teach and I wanted to be like her. In fourth grade, we had Career Day, where we dressed up as what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wore a long jean skirt with a blouse, fake glasses, and a clipboard by my side – I have a picture of this. I now wear glasses and blouses with a clipboard by my side years later.”

Mangum said one of the things that delights her about teaching is getting to know her students. That matters to her and it matters to them.

“Each child is different with how they love, learn, and interact with others,” she said. “I love getting to know what they like to do outside of school, what their interests are in school, and about their family. My main goal is for students to feel loved, welcomed, and safe in our classroom. My students know I love them and I will do what needs to be done for them to feel loved.”

This spring, Mangum will also start graduate work in teacher leadership. But first grade is home.

“It is where they really start to learn how to dive deep into reading, writing, and math,” she said. “I absolutely love being a little part of their education. They are so sweet at this age. They want to learn and they want to impress you, too.”

Mangum is known to show up at her students’ activities. This year, that means a lot of ball games – baseball, basketball, soccer, and more.

“I have 12 boys this year, out of 17 students, so a lot play sports,” she said. “I absolutely just love going to see them and supporting them because then they realize, oh, she doesn't just love me in the classroom. She loves me as a person, as a student, as me. It just really depends on the year, but this year, I have been loaded with a lot of boys who just love sports, so that's how we've been able to connect a lot outside of school.”

They deserve our continued support and encouragement. Join us in celebrating these – and all – educators who make a difference in their schools and in our community.

Click on the links below to learn more about each of our 10 Educators Who Make a Difference

Jeannée Abercrombie Johnson: McCracken Middle School Assistant Principal

Jeremy Brown: East North Street Academy, Kindergarten

Anne Louise Greer: Spartanburg Day School, Honors, AP and Forensic Chemistry

Shannon Moore Hill: Lake Forest Elementary School, K4

Ebony Nye: The Sterling School, Second Grade

Staci Purvis: Berea Elementary and Gateway Elementary, Visual Arts

Jessica Styles: Skyland Elementary, Second Grade

Larissa Toomey: Five Oaks Academy, Middle School Math

Chris White: Spartanburg High School, English and Speech & Debate

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This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Upstate Parent's 2023 Educators Who Make A Difference: Ashley Mangum