This Graduation Season, One GCS Teacher Celebrates a Milestone of Her Own

As families across North Carolina celebrate graduates reaching new milestones, Guilford County Schools is also celebrating educators who continue pursuing excellence inside the classroom.

Teachers across the district are earning National Board Certification — one of the highest recognitions a teacher can achieve. The certification reflects a strong commitment to professional growth, student success, and high-quality instruction.

That dedication is helping make a difference in classrooms across the state. Recent data shows North Carolina students are making strong gains in elementary math achievement, ranking among the top states in the nation for math recovery since the pandemic. Teachers like Ashley Marshall at Stokesdale Elementary School are part of the reason why.

Marshall’s achievement is part of a larger story across Guilford County Schools. As of October, GCS was home to 258 National Board Certified Teachers, reflecting the district’s commitment to supporting educators who continuously strive to improve their craft and strengthen student outcomes. The district also ranks among the top five in North Carolina for newly certified National Board teachers and for educators pursuing certification during the 2024-25 school year.

For Marshall, a math teacher with 14 years of experience, earning National Board Certification was about becoming the best teacher she could be for her students.

“I wanted the opportunity to reflect deeply on my practices, challenge myself professionally, and ensure I was meeting the needs of every learner in my classroom,” Marshall said. “Teaching is constantly evolving, and I wanted to continue growing alongside it.”

Marshall said she was inspired to begin the certification process after encouragement from a former colleague at Stokesdale Elementary. Working alongside teachers with high expectations motivated her to continue raising the bar in her own classroom.

“I also wanted to model lifelong learning for my students and my own child by showing them that growth and learning never truly stop,” she said.

National Board Certification is a rigorous process that asks teachers to reflect on their instruction, analyze student growth, and demonstrate how they meet the needs of all learners. For Marshall, the experience strengthened the way she approaches teaching every day.

“It pushed me to become much more reflective and intentional in my teaching,” she explained. “I now think more deeply about why I make instructional decisions, how I assess student understanding, and how I can better differentiate instruction to meet individual needs.”

Marshall says the process also strengthened her focus on student-centered learning and helped her become more analytical about student engagement and academic growth.

Across North Carolina, schools continue focusing on improving math instruction and helping students build confidence in the classroom. Teachers who pursue National Board Certification strengthen those efforts by improving instructional practices and finding new ways to support student learning.

Collaboration, Marshall says, has also played a major role in her success as an educator.

“Some of the best ideas, encouragement, and problem-solving happen through conversations and teamwork with colleagues,” she said. “Teaching can be challenging, and having a strong professional community makes a tremendous difference.”

She describes Stokesdale Elementary School as a school filled with students who love to learn and educators who are deeply committed to helping every child succeed.

Personally, Marshall says earning National Board Certification represents the dedication, perseverance, and heart she has poured into education throughout her 14-year career. Professionally, it validates the intentional work behind creating meaningful learning experiences for students.

For teachers considering National Board Certification, Marshall offers simple advice: trust the process and give yourself grace.

“At times, it can feel overwhelming, but the professional growth that happens throughout the journey is truly worth it,” she said. “It’s not about perfection. It’s about reflection, growth, and improving your practice.”

Marshall says the most meaningful part of the journey was having the opportunity to pause and reflect on both student growth and her own growth as an educator.

“In the busy pace of education, we don’t always take time to recognize growth,” Marshall said. “This process allowed me to celebrate successes, identify areas for improvement, and reconnect with the purpose behind why I teach.”

As Guilford County Schools celebrates graduates, academic milestones, and student success stories this season, educators like Ashley Marshall remind us that learning is lifelong. Behind every student accomplishment is a teacher continuing to grow, strengthen their craft, and invest in the future of public education.

That commitment to excellence — from both students and staff — is what continues to make Guilford County Schools one of the best places to learn, work, and grow.