LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Ashley Hoyt was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Hoyt starts each school day by standing in her classroom doorway and greeting every student with a friendly hug or high five, saying good morning. Her students know that they are seen and loved as they start each day! She also provides her students with the opportunity to engage with their peers in their morning meeting.

During their morning meeting, each student has the opportunity to share their answer to the daily question or discuss the day's topic. This allows students to realize they share common likes and dislikes with their classmates. The morning meetings give Ms. Hoyt and her students opportunities to extend and follow up on conversations throughout the day.

Throughout the school year, she also invites parents and family members to visit the class as "mystery guest readers". Students are thrilled to see family members visit the classroom, which helps create a positive relationship with families.

When school ended in May 2025, her team of kindergarten teachers was relocated to a new hallway. Her most pressing needs are getting set up in a new classroom and organizing her room to start the school year. She wants to create a space for her students that feels welcoming and organized so that they can have a positive and successful start to the school year.

This will be Ms. Hoyt's 13th year teaching. She has taught third-grade for four years. She had the opportunity to be a long-term substitute teacher for one school year in her district. She has taught prekindergarten for four years. This will be the start of her fourth year teaching kindergarten!