Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Ashley Craig

Instructional Designer
Conroe,TX
Ashley Craig

Summary

Ashley Craig, M.Ed., is an instructional designer, educator, and training specialist. She began her career in education after earning an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Sam Houston State University, where she focused on individuals with disabilities. Ashley excelled in her teaching career by promoting equality and designing innovative teaching practices along with specialized support services that made a lasting impact on the program. This success motivated her to pursue a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on Learning, Design, and Technology.

As the spouse of an Army veteran, Ashley became a member of the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) community in 2020 during a pivotal moment in her life. Her involvement in this peer-led group, coupled with the loss of a loved one to suicide, had a profound impact on her. This experience ultimately inspired her to change her career path. Ashley began her new career by working directly with military and veteran families, helping them access vital mental health support and resources while continuing to facilitate peer-led groups for VSN.

In March 2022, Ashley joined the Veteran Spouse Network team within the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness at the University of Texas at Austin. Over the past few years, she has held several roles at VSN and currently serves as the Learning & Development Manager. Ashley is committed to creating practical training and learning experiences that inspire individuals to engage in conversations about mental health and wellness within the military and veteran community.

Overview

16
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education
11
Certificates

Work History

Veteran Spouse Network
Austin, TX

Marketing Development and Training Manager
03.2022 - Current

Job overview

  • Supported organizational growth initiatives by contributing insights from participant interactions that informed educational and programmatic development or marketing strategies.
  • Enhanced brand recognition through the development of visually stunning and tailored marketing materials, thereby boosting brand awareness
  • Crafted email marketing campaigns that nurtured leads into conversions, utilizing compelling copy and targeted messaging.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop customized training solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of training programs using various assessment tools, providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Established a culture of continuous learning, promoting professional development opportunities for all leaders across the organization.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of training initiatives by tracking participant progress and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.

Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare
Conroe , TX

Veterans Case Manager
08.2021 - 03.2022

Job overview

  • Conducted in-person and telephone intakes with veterans and to explain benefits and referrals for community-based resources.
  • Reviewed and requested medical records, military personnel records and service verification records to determine eligibility status.
  • Documented thorough case notes daily and coordinated follow-up for seamless case management.
  • Fostered relationships with partner agencies and other interested parties to build pipeline of supportive services.
  • Participate in community events, outreach/marketing, and assist with communication and linkage with case management services
  • Communicated with individuals' family members, offering information and insight into support services available at community level.
  • Assisted in securing housing, medical care, mental health services and employment for clients by collaborating with various community agencies.
  • Built relationships with clients based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.

Meyerland PVA Middle School, Houston ISD
Houston, TX

Special Education Coordinator/Chair
08.2015 - 07.2019

Job overview

  • Planned, formulated and assessed goals, policies and services designed to implement data-driven educational objectives and performance standards.
  • Empowered general education teachers and administrators in implementing differentiated strategies to meet needs of students with IEPs.
  • Facilitated IEP meetings by using family-centered, strength-based approach.
  • Restructured education programming and other specialized services to increase and improve educational outcomes by 35%.
  • Cultivating collaborative relationship and maintaining contact with parents to address concerns and needs of children receiving special education services.

Houston Home Of Hope
Tomball, TX

Non-profit Instructional Director
05.2013 - 07.2014

Job overview

  • Built non-profit organization from start-up for young adults with Autism by designing educational programming and day-to-day operations.
  • Determined needed and relevant interventions based on each client's cognitive abilities and current needs.
  • Promoted positive client experience through day-to-day supervision and management of residential facility.
  • Recruited, hired and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
  • Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.

Shadowbriar Elementary, Houston ISD
Houston, TX

Lead Special Education Teacher
01.2009 - 06.2011

Job overview

  • Delivered effective and differentiated individualized classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students in third through fifth grade.
  • Participate in all aspects of IEP annual review process and provide student development reports to ARD committee.
  • Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
  • Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
  • Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule and it's effectiveness within structured classroom layout, behavior management, and data collection.

Education

University of Houston
Houston, TX

Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. from Learning, Design, Technology (GPA:4.0)
01.2019 - 12.2020

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Bachelor of Science from Interdisciplinary Studies (GPA: 3.4)
09.2006 - 12.2008

University Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Special Education

  • Nominated for College of Education Sammy Award 2008
  • President's Honor Roll Spring 2008
  • Dean's List Spring 2007

Skills

    Planning and Coordination

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Certification

Graduate Certificate: Online Teaching and Learning

Accomplishments

Special Education Recognition for Outstanding Performance, May 2019

Campus Recognition for Innovative Practices, March 2019

2010 Summer Conference, Session Presenter

Special Education Teacher of the Year 2009

Timeline

Certified Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Trainer

11-2023

Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Military, Veterans, and their Families

04-2023

Marketing Development and Training Manager

Veteran Spouse Network
03.2022 - Current

Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Adults

02-2022

Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor

10-2021

Veterans Case Manager

Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare
08.2021 - 03.2022

Graduate Certificate: Disability Support

07-2021

Graduate Certificate: Online Teaching and Learning

08-2020

Graduate Certificate: Designing & Developing Educational Graphics

08-2020

Graduate Certificate: Educational Multimedia

08-2020

Texas Educator Certificate: Special Education (EC - 12)

12-2019

Texas Educator Certificate: English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC - 12)

12-2019

Texas Educator Certificate: Generalist (EC - 4)

12-2019

University of Houston

Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. from Learning, Design, Technology (GPA:4.0)
01.2019 - 12.2020

Special Education Coordinator/Chair

Meyerland PVA Middle School, Houston ISD
08.2015 - 07.2019

Non-profit Instructional Director

Houston Home Of Hope
05.2013 - 07.2014

Lead Special Education Teacher

Shadowbriar Elementary, Houston ISD
01.2009 - 06.2011

Sam Houston State University

Bachelor of Science from Interdisciplinary Studies (GPA: 3.4)
09.2006 - 12.2008
Ashley Craig Instructional Designer