Portsmouth's Ashley Adamson Named RI Teacher Of The Year

PORTSMOUTH, RI — An Aquidneck Island teacher was surprised with one of the state's highest honors Tuesday. Ashley Adamson, a third grade teacher at Hathaway Elementary School was named the 2021 Rhode Island teacher of the Year. Because of the coronavirus pandemic and school closures, the ceremony was held outside the school, following social distancing requirements.

"This pandemic has brought out the best in so many Rhode Islanders, but especially our amazing teachers," Gov. Gina Raimondo said. "Ashley embodies the best of all our educators — she is focused on her kids’ learning and well-being, she is constantly working to improve her teaching, and she gives generously of her time outside the classroom. I’m thrilled that she will be representing our state as the 2021 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year."

Adamson has been a teacher for 14 years and is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. She has been a teacher in Portsmouth since 2010 and has taught at Hathaway since 2015.

"Rhode Island teachers are showing the rest of the country what they can do, and Ashley is a perfect example of dedication, perseverance, and commitment to fun in learning," Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. "RIDE is focused on finding and supporting World-Class Talent as one of our strategic priorities. Ashley will be an incredible asset to RIDE over the coming school year as we focus on finding new ways to recruit, support, and reward our educators for the amazing work they do."

Adamson has served in many leadership roles, including as an instructor for the RICAS Ramp Up Program, a pilot teacher for new English Language Arts curriculum, a presenter on social and emotional learning for fellow teachers, a robotics coach, and a coach for middle school softball, soccer and basketball teams. In 2019, she was named Portsmouth Teacher of the Year, and was awarded an Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Learning Award in 2018 and received Carter Spark Grants in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

"Mrs. Adamson is without a doubt an outstanding teacher," Principal Lisa Little wrote in her nomination letter. "Whether interacting with students, communicating with parents, sharing with colleagues, leading or attending professional development activities, she excels at her job. Her knowledge of children and how they learn and her genuine love of teaching are extraordinary."

Throughout the 2020-21 school year, Adamson will work with the Rhode Island Department of Education to help develop educator recognition initiatives and support programs throughout the state, as well as has the opportunity to represent the state as the national Teacher of the Year.

"Ashley spends considerable time beyond the school day and school year perfecting her craft," one parent wrote of Adamson. "Although my children have moved on to the middle school, I see on social media as she accomplishes professional conferences and dresses up to make learning in her room fun. I also find her at ballfields to watch her current students as they showcase talents beyond the classroom. She simply does it all!"