Ashley Schroeder Named 2026 Westonka Teacher of the Year

Ashley Schroeder, seventh-grade math teacher at Westonka Middle School, has been named 2026 Westonka Teacher of the Year. Westonka Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Borg surprised Schroeder in front of her colleagues and students on Monday afternoon, April 6.

Candidates for the district’s top teaching award are nominated by their colleagues, students and community members for their exceptional commitment to student learning. Schroeder was selected from a talented pool of nominees, including Janessa Cetin from Hilltop Primary School, Debbie Loomis from Shirley Hills Primary School, and Lisa Bonk from Westonka High School. Schroeder, Loomis and Bonk were also among the 128 candidates for 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. [Read more about the 2025-26 building teachers of the year]

Schroeder has taught middle school math in Westonka since 2018 and has also served as head girls high school volleyball coach during that time.

As an educator, Schroeder prioritizes making learning meaningful, engaging and rooted in real-world application. As she explains, students need “more involvement, more ownership, more variety and more movement,” along with a clear sense that what they are learning is relevant to their lives. By designing hands-on, project-based experiences—like her “March Madness” unit—Schroeder creates an environment where all learners can access content in ways that resonate with them. Ultimately, her goal is not only to teach math, but to build confidence and equip students with skills they will carry beyond the classroom.

In her recommendation letter to the Minnesota Teacher of the Year committee, WMS Principal Christy Zachow wrote: 

“At the heart of [Schroeder’s] teaching philosophy is something she tells both her students in the classroom and the athletes she coaches: ‘Mistakes are proof that you are trying—and trying is how you grow stronger!’ This belief is not just a slogan; it is the foundation of her work. She creates learning environments where students feel safe to take risks, reflect and improve. That courage to learn from missteps is one of the most valuable lessons she gives our students, and it consistently shows in their confidence, resilience and achievement.”

Schroeder will be recognized, along with her fellow building teachers of the year, district retirees and the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award winners, at the Westonka Staff Recognition event May 8 at the Westonka Performing Arts Center.