Ashley
I live in Houston, Texas.
What do you want mentees to know about you?
I am an energetic coach and advocate for youth who worked in the education field for more than 10 years as a teacher, mentor and athletic coach, and recently co-founded Warrior Spirit, a nonprofit dedicated to the mental wellness of veterans, first responders, educators, youth and those in addiction recovery. I began my career as a newspaper reporter, but soon found my “voice” in the work to prevent and end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
I worked as a prevention educator and communications specialist in the victim services field for more than 16 years, including work for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Voices For Children - Court Appointed Special Advocates for youth in foster care. I also worked as a freelance writer for magazines and nonprofit organizations.
In 2013, I felt called to be an advocate for youth in a different way - as a teacher and athletic coach. I began teaching 6th grade in the same year that my son was attending 6th grade, which only strengthened my sense of purpose and created opportunities to connect to students who simply needed to feel loved, valued and heard. Coaching middle school and high school track allowed me to recognize the relationship between athletics and mental health, and gain unique approaches to coaching youth and young adults.
I am the proud mom of Ian, an avid musician and United States Navy airman.
My Life Philosophy: My life philosophy is deeply rooted in faith, family, and nature. I embrace my faith as a guiding force and practice daily gratitude. Living a life of service is essential to me; I strive to help others in my community. I cherish my family relationships, nurturing our bonds through love, communication, and shared experiences. I have developed a profound appreciation for nature, spending time in the mountains, hiking trails, and by the ocean. Prioritizing self-care to maintain my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, along with embracing lifelong learning, is incredibly important to me.
What is important to you in life? In my life, it is important to love like Jesus, embracing unconditional compassion and forgiveness; cherishing my family, as they are my lifelong support and joy; cultivating a servant’s heart, always seeking to help and uplift others; growth, learning and gratitude; and letting kindness guide my actions, creating ripple effects of positivity and grace in the world.
My Hobbies: Hiking. Running. Traveling. Spending time with friends and family. Going to concerts. Reading.
My Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. Minor: Speech and Dance/Theater. Texas Educator Certification through the Blinn TEACH program in Texas.
Certifications, Honors, Publications or Special Awards:
I AM because of the Great I AM faith based journal, co-authored with Gabe Onofre.
Certified Texas Educator: Early Childhood - 6th Grade/Generalist; K-12 Physical Education, K-12 English as a Second Language.
Trauma Informed Care for Educators.
First Aid/CPR/AED for Schools and the Community
Texas A&M University Community Advocate of the Year 2007
Why I Mentor: I mentor because I want to serve and love others by sharing my knowledge and experiences. Through mentoring, I can support and guide individuals on their journeys, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. It is a way to make a positive impact on the world! By investing in others, I hope to inspire them to do the same, creating a community built on love, support and mutual encouragement.
My Ideal Mentee is: My ideal mentee is someone who is eager to learn and open to feedback. They are proactive, taking initiative in their growth and development. They show respect and appreciation for the mentor's time and experience, and they actively engage in the mentoring process with curiosity and a willingness to adapt. An ideal mentee is also committed to applying what they learn and is motivated to achieve their personal and professional goals.
My areas of expertise include:
Age range - Youth & Adults
Mental Health, Recovery (Trauma, Eating Disorders, Addiction), Autism, Faith & Spirituality,
Relationships and Health & Wellness.
My Mentoring Experience:
Teens and Adults in Recovery (trauma, eating disorders, addiction)
Young Adults with Autism
Young Adults: Relationships
Children, Teens and Adults: Fitness, Health and Wellness
Young Women: Faith and Spirituality
What you can expect when you work with me: My approach to coaching centers on empowering my clients to both acquire knowledge from external sources and discover their true essence, power and wisdom, all of which will help you reach your goals and cultivate joy. I guide my clients in trusting in themselves and their capabilities by establishing trust (active listening, empathy); clarifying goals; identifying strengths and areas for growth; developing action plans; fostering self-awareness; cultivating resilience; promoting accountability; and encouraging healthy habits.
My Session Rate: $95
Call 980-550-0124 today to work with Ashley or email OnwardMentors@gmail.com.