Ashley Winston has provided professional development experiences for teachers and emerging leaders in Chicago Public Schools. Her approach, processes, and reflective exercises allowed participants to identify and break down barriers, both internal and external, to envision action steps to build community, and to develop strategic partnerships to assist in reaching one's goals. Participants in Ms. Winston's programs leave the experience with a shifted world view toward results and solutions to problems once considered insurmountable.

Evan Plummer, Director of Arts Education, Department of Arts Education/Chicago Public Schools

Ashley has consistently pushed the envelope on what it means to be a part of this profession. Her drive to improve the practice of teaching through higher order inquiry, expanded areas of study, and true connection to students make her a constant top pick. We have worked together to design residencies where she implements her core values of experimentation through performance, and school officials repeatedly request her presence. I have personally connected with Ashley due to her warm nature, hilarious wit, and desire to combine artistry with sound business tactics to reflect a sustainable career. She carries these traits into her daily work with students, inspiring them at multiple levels. For these reasons, I consider her a model teaching artist, confident that her path will be one to watch.

One of the most fun and powerful presentations our group has ever experienced. I can’t wait to implement what we learned.

Lethia Owens, CEO, Next Level Branding & Marketing

Wow. You just got to see Ashley work. I mean, I've really never seen anybody work a room the way that she does. Her energy is electric, it's contagious. She connects with people immediately and she kind of has to because she is getting in your business on today. She's cutting through all of the fluff. She's cutting through all of the excuses so that you can be the very best version of yourself because that's her business. That's what she's here to do.

Kelly McMath, Culture Coach & Leadership Development Specialist

Ashley Winston does an incredible job engaging participants in her workshops and making the content relevant to classroom practice. She worked collaboratively with us to develop a customized agenda and resources that specifically targeted the needs of our organization and our partner teachers. Ashley masterfully balances her artistic and creative expertise with the educational rigor required for the 21st-century classroom. She understands the challenges teachers and artists face and was able to provide effective strategies that elicit the best from teachers and students.

Dr. Todd Snead, School Engagement Manager, Lyric Opera of Chicago