Ashton is an education policy professional with more than five years of experience as district central office staff and client services. She began as a research and data associate at Memphis-Shelby County Schools where she conducted analyses for district metrics such as enrollment, student achievement, and program evaluation. Following her time at the district, she spent three years consulting on projects that primarily centered teacher workforce development and teacher diversity.

Ashton’s academic and professional interests include the coordination of social services to support educational outcomes and improving the quality of education experiences for both students and teachers of color. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from The University of Memphis and later earned a Master of Public Policy degree in Education Policy from Vanderbilt University. 

She believes that all students should have access to a high quality education and that teachers should have access to adequate resources to provide high quality instruction.