Blume is Teacher of the Year for Oak Grove

Between making learning fun and reaching out to students who need help, third grade teacher Ashley Blume challenges her students to reach their full potential, according to letters from her peers.

Blume is the 2020-21 Teacher of the Year for Oak Grove Elementary after 10 years with the school district.

Blume earned her master of elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in spring, 15 years after starting in education. She earned an associate’s degree in elementary education from Three Rivers College in 2007. Before working for the R-I school district, she worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff for five years.

Oak Grove Elementary School teacher of the year Ashley Blume works with some of her students.Photo provided

Fellow third grade teacher Kristie Robinson said in a recommendation letter Blume became the teacher “to ask assistance with at-risk students both academically and behaviorally.

“She has a heart for all her students, but it seems she has a special way of reaching and connecting with students that have difficulty connecting with others for whatever reason. She goes above and beyond with her students and their families to force a connection and plan to make sure they see success.”

Co-worker Laurie Coleman, process coordinator, agreed with Robinson that Blume is able to reach students who other students struggle with.

Oak Grove Elementary School teacher of the year Ashley Blume with some of her students during lunch.Photo provided

“Ashley is one of the most versatile and accommodating teachers to all of her students, including those with special education identification and those harder to reach students who struggle but do not have an IEP,” she wrote.

Along with student work, third grade teacher Christine Walker wrote, Blume shares her teaching strategies with others at the school and helps organize the third grade academic pacing calendar to ensure standards are met.

“Ashley is constantly doing research in order to find new strategies for reaching struggling students and shares those strategies with those around her,” Walker wrote.

This work to reach students is noticed by parents as well. Parent Stephanie Turner said her son, who has an eye disease and ADHD, “never had a good experience in school” since he started kindergarten summer school. When he was in second grade, she said, after mentioning to his teacher that she was considering “pulling him,” the teacher packed up his stuff and told the other students to say goodbye to him before she came to the school to fully discuss it.

“She wasn’t even willing to try,” Turner wrote. “It’s very hard watching your kid come home every day just looking and feeling defeated. He had very low self-esteem at that point. Then I get him into Oak Grove.

“I don’t know what magic she has hidden up those sleeves, but Caleb was excited to go to school again. He loved her. He would tell me how nice she was. He wasn’t coming home in tears anymore.”

Turner said her daughter, Caitlyn, was also in Blume’s class. When Caitlyn started “going a bit haywire,” Blume helped keep the parents informed about what went on in school and later when Caitlyn had brain surgery would check on her and had the students make her get well cards.

“She also kept a close eye on her while she was still healing after she went back, making sure she was careful at recess not to hit her head or anything,” Turner wrote.

Former student Kyle Richards said he noticed Blume’s willingness to address individual students’ needs by letting him sit by the window during assessments because it helped him relax and focus.

“She’s always kind,” third grader Lillie wrote. “She’s the best ever. But I’m going to miss her so much when we leave for fourth grade. She’s a great math teacher. She explains it so easy.”