Mrs. Ashley Puckett has recently been given the spotlight for her work at Armuchee High School. Mrs. Puckett teaches tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade language arts, which includes World Literature, American Literature, and Advanced Grammar and Composition. All of her classes are centered around writing and reading. She said, “My students are always writing, reading, drawing, or writing poetry.” On a daily basis, Mrs. Puckett keeps her students entertained and engaged. She said, “We just did a couple of projects where they got to write and draw, which I think is fun. I’m hoping we’re going to get to do some more things where we get to move and not just sit at our desks all day.”
Mrs. Puckett has wanted to become a teacher for as long as she can remember. She said, “I guess it was my own teachers that sparked my interest in teaching.” What Mrs. Puckett appreciates most about her job is being able to educate students and prepare them for their respective futures. Despite the fact that she has been given a teacher spotlight, Mrs. Puckett feels that there is always an area in her job that she can improve in. She said, “I feel like I could always read more and be more aware of what my students like.” In the classroom, Mrs. Puckett actively tries to create a fun and mindful learning environment for her students. Bella Brady, a junior in Mrs. Puckett’s class, said, “I like her class because she always walks us through our work and explains stuff to us.”
Mrs. Puckett is thrilled to have this teacher spotlight. She said, “This opportunity makes me feel very excited.” She pushes her students to become better every single day through being encouraging and optimistic, which makes her students feel appreciated and confident. She said, “I just try to be a positive influence in my classroom.” She also motivates her students through being silly and cringy. Emily Thomas, a ninth grader who was in Mrs. Puckett’s class last year, said, “She’s bright and happy, and she makes a lot of jokes. She also isn’t as strict and is always laidback, which makes her class really fun.”
On top of her other achievements, Mrs. Puckett is a positive role model in and outside of the classroom. She is an inspiration to everyone around her as she makes them want to be more optimistic and lively. Kayden Johnson, a ninth grader who was in Mrs. Puckett’s class two years ago, said, “Mrs. Puckett is a good role model because she makes everyone feel valued and cared for. She is a very optimistic person, which inspires her students to be more positive.” Mrs. Puckett’s easygoing and kind personality makes her class very enjoyable for all of her students. Bella Brady said, “Mrs. Puckett is the best person to talk to about anything. She’s the best because she likes to surround people with good things and good intentions.”
Mrs. Puckett has been part of the Armuchee community for the past six years. Before moving to Armuchee, she taught at Rockmart Middle School for fourteen years. Mrs. Puckett studied primarily English at seven different colleges, including Berry College, Jacksonville State University, and Savannah College of Art and Design. She also got her master’s degree and specialist degree at Augusta University. Her family includes her husband, three kids, and an abundance of pets. She said, “I have three indoor dogs, three chickens, two adopted dogs outside, and a cat.” In her free time, she enjoys photography, arts and crafts, and hanging out with her kids.
