Ashley McCall MAT ’14: A Golden Moment

This story appeared in the Fall 2021 Dominican Magazine



Ashley McCall MAT ’14 has a passion for teaching and cares deeply about educational access and equity. So when the third-grade teacher at Chicago’s Chavez Multicultural Academic Center learned that she’d won a 2021 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, she saw it as validation of everything she’s been working for.



“The award was a reminder of the possibility for impact that I have as a teacher,” McCall said. “And it’s lovely to think that I’ve made some sort of difference.”



Beyond the classroom, McCall works tirelessly on educational policy issues. A 2016 Teach Plus Illinois Teaching Policy Fellow, she’s a teacher representative on the board of Teach Plus and works to advance policies that promote equitable schools by knocking on doors, hosting meetings, co-authoring policy briefs and more.



“Teachers are natural organizers and policymakers,” McCall said. “We are constantly working with networks of students and families and advocating for their needs.”



The Golden Apple Award honors outstanding teachers who have lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities. As an award recipient, McCall received a cash award and a paid sabbatical to take classes at Northwestern University.