Lauren Ashman, program manager and instructional specialist for the mySci Program at The Institute for School Partnership at Washington University in St. Louis (ISP), has been recognized with the Emerging Leader Award.
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a Washington University employee who positively influences and leads others at the university, in their community and in their profession. This award acknowledges someone who listens to the feedback and concerns of employees, displays a growth mindset and empowers their colleagues to develop and utilize their leadership skills and capabilities to better the university and St. Louis region.
A K-8 instructional program that includes curriculum, professional learning and leased kits of materials, mySci is designed to support science learning in the St. Louis region. Lauren leads the curriculum project team: curriculum writers, K-12 educators, informal educators, scientists and university faculty, and provides strategic direction and project oversight focused on the development of high-quality engaging instructional materials for K-12 teachers. Additionally, she supports operations, ensuring coordination between the science curriculum, program management, and operations teams.
What motivates Lauren in this work is helping remove barriers for science teachers, and in doing so, supporting teachers to provide opportunities for rigorous and equitable science sensemaking to all students in their classrooms. She is also passionate about leadership and developing systems that support her team’s growth, development, and well-being.