A Baylor Bear is America’s top student teacher for the 3rd time in 6 years

For the third time in six years, a Baylor Bear is the national student-teacher of the year.

That same Bear is also the Texas student-teacher of the year — the sixth time in nine years a Baylor grad has been so honored.

This year’s double honoree is Ashlyn Bergethon (BSED ’24), now an Algebra I and Honors Algebra II teacher at Robinson High School just outside Waco — the same school where she did her student teaching.

“I know that the first year for teachers can be the most stressful,” says Bergethon, “so I eliminated some of the variables by choosing someplace I already loved.”

The Virginia Beach native was drawn to Waco, Baylor and the Baylor School of Education by BU’s reputation as an excellent school for future educators, its D-1 athletics, and its status as a Christian Research 1 university.

“My faith is really important to me,” she says. “As I was going through the decision process, the Lord just really told me that Baylor was the place I need to be, so I took a leap of faith and moved across the country. I haven’t regretted it since.”

Bergethon was recognized as National Student Teacher of the Year by Kappa Delta Pi (an international honor society in education) and the Association of Teacher Educators, and as Clinical Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas by the Texas Directors of Field Experience, an organization of faculty who supervise teacher-education field experiences.

She joins a growing list of Bears who have won the same awards in recent years, following in the footsteps of Stephanie Wright (BSED ’16, MSED ’17 – Texas), Rachel Vaughn (BSED ’17 – Texas), Lauren Hornbeak (BSED ’19 – U.S. & Texas),  Alexandra Ronnenberg (BSED ’21 – Texas), Emily Blackwell (BSED ’22 – U.S.), and Debbie Chou (BSED ’23) – Texas).

Such honors are evidence of how Baylor education students learn to quickly and effectively implement what they learn in the classroom. Clearly, others across the state and nation are taking notice.

Sic ’em, Ashlyn and Baylor student teachers!