We recently had the chance to connect with Ashley Newman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I absolutely love supporting our daughter’s competitive gymnastics journey! She has so much strength and power, and I love to see her grow within her favorite sport. She is amazing!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Coach Ashley-Founder and Owner of Ashley Newman Education, LLC. We began in 2020 and are celebrating six school years in business. I serve Grade 3-8 students with ADHD in one-to-one, ADHD-affirming math and reading coaching. As an award-winning veteran educator and certified ADHD coach, I set out to build a space dedicated to supporting the academic and personal needs of students with ADHD within our community, who consistently go underserved and undervalued in traditional learning environments.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My late grandfather, who I lovingly called Gumpy, was an accountant at MIT. When I was little, he would repurpose his home office to teach me about Tetris and let me play with office supplies. Although he had a high-stakes, high influence job that required an unimaginable amount of math, he knew when to set it aside and just be Gumpy. I learned from a very early age that work life balance was not a just a suggestion, but a requirement, for a fulfilled journey.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would say, “be very intentional with how you spend your time as you grow”. My life requires many hats on a daily basis: small business owner, ADHD-affirming academic coach, fire wife, community volunteer, and homeschool mom, to name a few. Finding the balance that works for our family has taken time, as I decide which additional ventures are worth taking on. I find myself saying “no, thank you” more often than I used to, but it means the times I say “yes” are more intentional and exciting.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I am an extremely research-driven educator and ADHD coach, so I am consistently looking with a critical eye at new fads or trends in the educational realm. Sometimes, tried and true ideas circle back from decades ago that hold weight and results. Other times, ideas are simply visually pleasing, without any true substance or depth. It is so important to distinguish between two resources to know what is worth investing time and energy into, and what is not.
As the 1:1 ADHD-affirming academic coaching service for Grades 3-8, I lean into the real foundational skills necessary to move the needle. Before discovering me, the innovative families that I support tried surface level results like tutoring and learning centers with little to no success. It is a core value of Ashley Newman Education, LLC to provide the deep-level, research-driven results that Grade 3-8 students with ADHD deserve.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope to be remembered for my positive impact on the world of ADHD: with Grade 3-8 core academic coaching and executive functioning skills. I wish to be remembered for my big heart for learners with ADHD, who I believe are the most brilliant learners within their classrooms. Finally, I hope to be remembered for being a fiercely informed advocate for neurodivergent learners, who deserve the relevent accomodations and modifications they need to thrive at school and in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ashleynewmaneducation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleynewmaneducation
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleynewmaneducationllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleynewmaneducation
Image Credits
Kaitlyn Fellows: Fellows Creative Co
