09/26/2026
Continuing our 2026-27 school-level Teacher/Support Professional of the Year spotlights tonight with a look at the Cleveland Road Elementary Teacher of the Year, Ashley Lankford!
Ms. Lanford has 16 years of experience in education and nine years at Cleveland Road, where she was also Teacher of the Year and a district TOTY finalist in the 2022-23 school year. She began her time at CRES in the COMPASS placement program, which provides targeted social and emotional learning to help students thrive in the classroom setting, and taught fourth-grade science and English language arts before returning to COMPASS, where she works with students in grades K-5 today.
“I am very passionate about making sure every student feels seen, understood, valued, and safe,” says Ms. Lankford. “My first three COMPASS students taught me the lasting impact of believing in a child’s potential even when others don't see it, and that belief continues to guide my work.”
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Lankford also strives to ensure her colleagues to feel seen, understood, and valued. She serves on Cleveland Road’s Local School Governance Team and Lighthouse Team, CCSD’s Teacher Advisory Board, and the CRES student-led Assembly Team. She also leads staff wellness activities and assists with the After School Program.
Ms. Lankford is a proud product of CCSD schools, having attended Chase Street (now Johnnie Lay Burks) Elementary, Whit Davis Elementary, Coile Middle School, and graduated from Cedar Shoals High School (Class of 2008). She holds associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and a master’s in Development Psychology, specializing in children and adolescents.
“I am honored and so humbled to serve the same community that helped shape who I am today,” says Ms. Lankford.
Please join us in congratulating Ashley Lankford, Teacher of the Year! And stay with us throughout the weekend for more TOTY-SPOTY spotlights! The next round begins tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 8 a.m.!
