Her Story
About Ashly
Ashly Paul, Ed.S., is a special education and STEM educator, curriculum specialist, and education innovator focused on creating inclusive learning environments that make science and technology more accessible to diverse learners. She currently serves as a Special Education Science Teacher and Curriculum Specialist at Georgia Connections Academy, where she develops standards-aligned science curriculum, creates special education accommodations and differentiated instructional resources, designs assessments, and supports educators with implementation. Her professional expertise spans special education, inclusive STEM education, curriculum development, artificial intelligence integration, cybersecurity education, aviation and drone education, teacher training, autism advocacy, and social-emotional learning.
Ashly's career in education spans approximately a decade, including several years focused specifically on STEM instruction. Prior to her current work, she taught special education science at KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, where she developed IEPs, adapted curriculum, monitored student progress, and collaborated with families and school teams. Her professional background also includes nearly a decade with Delta Air Lines as a flight attendant and gate/ticketing agent, as well as experience teaching English as a second language through VIPKID. Academically, she earned a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Grand Canyon University and an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. She has also pursued doctoral studies focused on curriculum and special education, with her manuscript submitted. Her academic achievements include graduating as valedictorian and earning Dean's List recognition.
Ashly's educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that inclusion should be designed into learning from the beginning rather than added after the fact. She advocates for instruction that recognizes different learning needs, cultural backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, while helping students connect STEM learning to meaningful real-world problems. She attributes her success to preparation and intuition and encourages young women to remain observant, trust themselves, and surround themselves with people who reflect the professional and personal qualities they hope to develop. Her work is further supported by credentials in special education, science, social-emotional learning, yoga, and remote pilot/drone education. Through her teaching, curriculum leadership, and advocacy, Ashly remains committed to creating educational experiences that are accessible, engaging, and transformational for every learner.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to preparation and intuition. I strongly believe that if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. At the same time, I have learned to trust my intuition before relying solely on my intelligence. My intuition has guided me through many experiences involving my family, my students, and my career, and it has helped me recognize situations and opportunities in ways that preparation alone cannot.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to be quiet and observant. I have learned that I do not always need to be the loudest person in the room. Listening, observing, and using my intuition can reveal important information about people and situations that might otherwise be missed. I believe thoughtful observation can be a powerful professional strength.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to surround themselves with people who embody the qualities, careers, and lives they want to build. Immerse yourself in environments where you can learn from people who inspire you and demonstrate the kind of professional you want to become.
I also encourage women to trust their intuition when deciding who deserves their time and energy. Not every person or opportunity requires your attention, and learning to recognize where to invest your energy can make a meaningful difference in your growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education is ensuring that teachers understand how to adapt their instruction to different types of learners. Every educator will encounter students with diverse needs, and inclusive teaching should be part of every classroom rather than being viewed as something limited to special education.
Another important opportunity is expanding inclusivity beyond disability to recognize culture, race, gender, and other differences in science education and projects. Creating more inclusive science experiences can help more students see themselves represented and feel that they have a place within STEM.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Preparation and intuition are two values that guide me in both my professional and personal life. I believe preparation creates a strong foundation, while intuition helps me navigate situations that cannot always be solved through knowledge or intelligence alone. I try to listen carefully, observe thoughtfully, and trust my instincts when making decisions that affect my students, family, and career.
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