Ashton McCoy is a graduate of Shaw University and Regent University with a BS in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Cross-Categorical Special Education. As a High School Special Education Teacher in Mathematics, she began her entrepreneurial journey as a Mathematics tutor nights after she left Coaching her school’s Varsity Cheer Squad and on the weekends. In 2011, she moved to North Carolina, where she taught 7th-grade special education math for short while. She then became a Self-Contained Special Education Teacher in 2012. In 2017, Ashton returned to her home state of Virginia and alma mater and her first school of teaching, Lake Taylor High School. Ashton is currently one of two IEP Case Managers at Norview High School. She is also the CEO of A Team Designs and mother to one son, Andreas.Â
Christina: What was the hardest thing you’ve ever had to go through in life? Did it end how you expected it to?Â
Ashton: The hardest thing I went through was the breakup with my fiancé and becoming a single mother. I believe that it did turn out the way I expected it to because I knew that I would take care of my son. I had done the work to be able to care for my family. My father always told me to make sure I had my own. Even though it was a struggle, and I shed many tears, I became stronger than I ever thought I could be.
Christina: Suppose you could go back to your younger self, in a season where you thought you had it all. What would you say to your younger self?Â
Ashton: It will be alright. Learn not to dwell on the things that you cannot change but focus on those things that are within your power to change.
Christina: How meaningful are friendships to you? Do you value your friendships, your sisterhood, more than you value material possessions?Â
Ashton: Friendships are one of the most important relationships that a person can have. I believe in true friendship. Those friendships that last even when you do not talk every day or hang out every weekend. Those friendships that pick up like you never left. I trust in the relationships more than material possessions because those possessions can be lost, but a true friendship will always be there.
Christina: Why did you choose to pursue special education?
Ashton: After graduating from Shaw University, I came home to find out that my mother had stage 3 Colon Cancer. I took a position as a substitute so I could work and help pay bills. Working with the special needs population was such a rewarding experience that I returned to school and got my Masters in Special Education.
Christina: Now that you are also an entrepreneur, how has that changed how you teach and educate your students?Â
Ashton: I think that it has helped me to navigate students towards trade jobs versus college. College was heavily stressed to me as a child, and I originally wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice, which was odd since I grew up as a child of an entrepreneur. My father owned a landscaping business.
This HerConClave virtual event will take place on November 7 at 10 a.m. EST. This virtual soiree will explore the many seasons women experience during parenting, marriage, loss of finances, relationships, career, or health. It’s time to be transparent about the issues we as women face and share the winning strategies, so we can all cross the finish line together. This life altarHERing event will spark your confidence and give you a blueprint for strategies that will motivate you to become the best YOU!! Purchase your tickets here!
Connect with Ashton: iam.ashtonmccoy@gmail.com
Facebook – A Team Designs | Ashton McCoy
IG: a_team_designs | iam_ashtonmccoy
Website: www.iamashtonmccoy.com
