Ashley Jensen

Tell us why you became a teacher

Leaving the corporate world to teach computer science was not an impulsive decision but the result of a deep reflection on my values, goals, and desire for a more meaningful career. After years in the corporate sector, I realized that while I had achieved professional success, something was missing. The structured environment, tight deadlines, and focus on profit-driven goals left little room for creativity, personal connection, or the opportunity to make a lasting impact on others. I wanted to

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

That day, I decided to focus less on the result and more on the process. I reminded Alex that coding is as much about trial and error as it is about precision. Together, we worked on a simple challenge: creating a basic webpage with a heading, a paragraph, and a link. I encouraged him to code one step at a time, explaining each piece as he went. We talked about the purpose of each tag and how they worked together. Then he finally got it. This was the reason I wanted to teach

What would you do with the $25,000?

Winning the $25,000 prize as “America’s Favorite Teacher” would be an incredible honor, and while I am deeply committed to my students, this prize would also provide a unique opportunity to invest in my own family. As a teacher, much of my time and energy is dedicated to shaping the future of others, but this prize would allow me to give back to my family in meaningful ways, enriching our lives and creating opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.