Ashley Carter

Ashley Carter is a high school assistant principal at Missouri Connections Academy, a full‑time, tuition‑free online public school serving K–12 students across Missouri and supported by Pearson. With 13 years of experience, including a decade as a high school mathematics teacher and three years in school leadership, she brings a deeply practical lens to innovation, instructional leadership, and virtual learning at scale. Ashley played a key role in launching Missouri Connections Academy and now leads the high school team, overseeing instructional practices, student engagement, and staff development in a fully online environment. Her work centers on designing systems that support teachers, personalize learning for students, and translate data into meaningful action, while ensuring relationships remain at the heart of virtual education. She was named a 2025–26 Department of Defense STEM Ambassador, where she focuses on embedding real‑world, student‑driven learning experiences into virtual school models. Her approach prioritizes accessibility, relevance, and practical implementation, ensuring that innovative ideas are not only aspirational but achievable for educators and impactful for students. Ashley holds master’s degrees in educational leadership and educational technology and is certified in secondary mathematics. A Kansas City native and mother of four, she brings both professional insight and real‑life perspective to conversations about the future of learning. She believes that when educators are supported with the right tools, trust, and systems, students can thrive, no matter where or how they learn.