Holly Springs Teacher Named to Superintendent's Advisory Council
Ashley MacDonell of Holly Springs ES STEM Academy brings over a decade of experience to the newly formed feedback group.
Woodstock Community News| Woodstock, GA
Ashley MacDonell, a fourth-grade teacher at Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, has been named to the Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council. The appointment, highlighted by the district on Jan. 17, gives educators a platform to provide direct feedback to administration regarding school operations and student needs.
MacDonell is an 11-year veteran educator who currently teaches fourth-grade English language arts and social studies. Before joining the Cherokee County team, she taught in Kentucky and spent nine years in Fulton County Schools. Her background includes serving as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher and an instructional lead for her grade level.
In her classroom, MacDonell emphasizes a "work hard, play hard" motto, prioritizing the "whole child" alongside academic metrics. She noted that supporting students' mental health and social well-being is a prerequisite for learning, teaching strategies like perseverance and emotional regulation alongside the standard curriculum.
MacDonell expressed a specific passion for working with ESOL students, aiming to be a welcoming presence for children new to the United States. According to the district, the Advisory Council was created to leverage the talent of local teachers and allow them to share feedback. The district plans to introduce additional council members to the community in the coming weeks.
