Ashley Pomposelli named Top Five Teacher of the Year Finalist

Ashley Pomposelli doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t want to be a teacher. She played school with her friends when she was a little girl and grew up around family members who were teachers and principals. Pomposelli added that she had some of the best teachers she could have asked for during her time as a student. Eventually during an internship, she realized she was in the right place.

“I watched a student struggle to write their name and the child was so down on himself,” said Pomposelli. “I worked with him until he achieved the accomplishment. He was so proud. It is those ‘aha’ moments that bring me so much joy and I want to keep those moments going.”

Pomposelli began teaching Kindergarten in 2010. She spent eight years in Horry County then arrived at James B. Edwards Elementary School (JBE) in 2017. Pomposelli was born in New York, spent her summers on the Jersey Shore, and moved to Charleston her sophomore year in high school. She graduated from Bishop England High School, went to Coastal Carolina University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Pomposelli’s classroom is a fun space where she hopes her students will make lifetime memories.

“It is somewhere students are loved,” said Pomposelli. “It is my hope that they make lasting friendships, build upon their own uniqueness, and be leaders of the future.”

According to Principal Robin Fountain, Pomposelli’s tenacious spirit is contagious and students in her class know how to persevere and stick with a task no matter how hard it is.

“I love to visit Ms. Pomposelli’s classroom,” said Fountain. “It is always a happy hive of busy workers.”

What brings Pomposelli the most joy is the smiles on the faces of her students and the excitement they display while learning. Her goal is to spread positivity and uplift her students every day.

“I take pride in providing a safe, happy classroom environment,” said Pomposelli. “I am able to do that because of the team we have here at JBE. We have great support systems in place and as the saying goes, ‘it takes a village’.”

Pomposelli hopes to use the Top Five Finalist platform to speak up for past, present, and future teachers. She also wants to bring awareness to how great the profession can be.

“Being named as a Top Five Finalist was a humbling experience,” said Pomposelli. “I am my worst critic and I am hard on myself so for my coworkers to see me in this light is unbelievable. It’s an honor. We all work so hard and for your peers to see you being recognized is amazing.”

Pomposelli has served as the grade-level chairperson at JBE since 2020 and prior to that was a grade-level chairperson and lead mentor at her school in Horry County. While there, she was also named the 2015-2016 Forest Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Pomposelli believes that learning never stops. That is why she is so thankful to her family for inspiring her to be the best educator she can be.

Pomposelli has focused on staff development, leadership, and training of future teachers throughout her career. She worked with various teams to develop new social studies and science curriculums, instructed teachers on the new curriculum through professional development, and attended professional development to become Kagan certified, which enabled her to use revolutionary instructional strategies to boost engagement and achievement. Additionally, Pomposelli has been a cooperating teacher for student teachers at Coastal Carolina University and College of Charleston.

Pomposelli’s 92-year-old grandmother is a retired principal who often makes guest appearances in her classroom.

“She is a critic, mentor, and supporter, which is better than any professional development,” said Pomposelli.

Of course, she appreciates her parents’ support, as well.

“I am so thankful that my parents inspired me to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher,” said Pomposelli. “They’ve had my back and been my biggest supporters. They’ve always been there to pick me up and follow my dreams.”

Pomposelli also adores teaching at JBE.

“JBE is the best little school in the Lowcountry,” said Pomposelli. “The parents are invested in their kids’ education and they are committed to helping teachers help their children. The staff here is so positive and we look out for each other. It brings me a sense of happiness and that’s a wonderful feeling.”

 

About the Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is a nationally accredited school district committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves approximately 49,000 students in 88 schools and specialized programs.

CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), music and other creative and performing arts, career and technical preparation programs, and military.