For Ashley Crosby, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Normandeau School, helping children fall in love with learning starts with making sure every child feels safe, respected and valued.
Ashley, who has spent the past 15 years teaching three and four-year-olds at Red Deer Public, is a 2026 recipient of the Prime Minister's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. The recognition celebrates her commitment to supporting young learners, particularly children with moderate to severe learning challenges, and helping them discover their strengths, build confidence and develop a love of school.
"I was really shocked and overwhelmed with emotion when I heard I had received the award. I didn't expect it at all," she said. "To receive that type of honour is really touching."
Ashley prides herself in creating a welcoming classroom where children can explore, communicate, develop independence and learn at their own pace.
"My number one goal is for them to fall in love with school and want to be there every single day because they feel loved and respected," she said. "I want them to have a warm place to learn, and I am always trying to figure out their needs and how best to support them and their families."
Her approach combines play-based learning, sensory exploration, creativity and gentle guidance to help children develop communication, problem-solving and social-emotional skills. She also incorporates speech-language and occupational therapy goals into everyday activities, helping students participate meaningfully in classroom experiences.
Whether children are building with blocks, exploring sensory materials, expressing themselves through art or reaching a milestone such as saying a new word or zipping up their coat independently, Ashley celebrates their progress and encourages them to keep trying.
Building strong relationships with families is another important part of her work. Through regular communication and shared goal setting, Ashley works with parents to support children's development at school and home.
Meanwhile, Ashley's path to early childhood education began long before she entered the classroom as a teacher. After previously teaching Kindergarten at École Mountview, she came across a brochure about Pre-Kindergarten and immediately saw an opportunity to pursue her passion.
"I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher," she said. "My mom told me that when I was in Kindergarten, I said I wanted to be a teacher, and that never wavered."
Today, working with young children with diverse needs remains the part of the profession that she loves the most.
Ashley also credits the support of her colleagues and school community for helping her create the best possible learning environment for her students.
"I feel so blessed to not only teach Pre-K, but to be part of the most amazing school, where we are a family and they support my little kiddos," she said. "It takes a village to raise children."
Through her work, Ashley demonstrates how early childhood education can make a lasting difference by creating a sense of belonging, nurturing individual strengths and helping children build the confidence they need for their next steps in learning.
