Her Story
About Chele
Chele Ashley serves as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Bovina ISD, a small, rural district in Bovina, Texas, where she oversees instructional programs alongside the broad range of responsibilities common to small district leadership. Her career began in the classroom, where she spent five years teaching before transitioning into district leadership roles, including coordinator of secondary bilingual assessments, K-12 instructional coach, and Director of Federal Programs. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to building strong systems that support school improvement, including implementing the Teacher Incentive Allotment, leading Strong Foundations Planning, and developing districtwide MTSS and coaching structures designed to align people, processes, and purpose across a school system.
Alongside her professional advancement, Ashley pursued an extensive academic path through Texas A&M University–Texarkana, earning a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies and Educational Leadership, and ultimately a Doctorate of Education with a superintendent certification. She holds a wide range of credentials, including certifications in Social Studies for grades 4-8 and 7-12, Special Education, ESL, principal certification, and superintendent certification, reflecting a career built on continuous learning and versatility across instructional and leadership domains. She has also served as an adjunct professor, extending her expertise beyond the K-12 setting into higher education.
Professionally, Ashley is guided by a philosophy of incremental, sustainable change rather than sweeping overhauls, believing that consistent, practical progress creates the most meaningful long-term impact. She places particular emphasis on improving outcomes for emergent bilingual students through thoughtful instructional design and policy alignment. An active member of the Texas Council of Women's School Executives, the Texas Association of School Administrators, and AASA, she remains engaged with the broader educational leadership community. Recognized for her contributions to the field, Ashley has been selected for feature in Influential Women for 2026, a reflection of her dedication to honest, direct, and people-centered leadership throughout her career in education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chele
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance. Over the past ten years, I have faced a great deal, but I have learned to keep my head down and stay focused on my goals. Life happens along the way, but you continue working, meet your goals, and keep moving forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was not to go in trying to change the world all at once. Attempting to overhaul everything at the same time is a recipe for failure. Instead, I focus on making incremental changes that build toward lasting improvement.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this field to never stop learning. Education is constantly evolving, and best practices are always changing. Holding on to outdated methods does a disservice both to yourself and to the students you serve.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is funding, along with competing ideas about what is truly best for a classroom. Legislation is often written by people who don't fully understand what happens day to day in schools, and this contributes to teachers leaving the profession. School vouchers, particularly here in Texas, present an additional challenge. At the same time, I see real opportunities in the amazing people who choose this profession, in hands-on and practical learning experiences, and in preparing students to leave high school ready for meaningful careers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is central to who I am, both professionally and personally. I believe in being blunt, but doing so kindly. Above all, I strive to be a good human being and a good person in everything I do.
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