About Ashley

About Ashley Gustafson
athletic fitness sessions for students

ABOUT ASHLEY

Inspiring Change & Igniting Passion

Ashley is dedicated to raising awareness and being an advocate for positive change. She stresses and is living proof of the importance of making human connections along life’s journey. Her motivation to always look at the good in others and promote kindness no matter what the situation is has made her into the success story she is today.

Ashley teaches the life lessons that encompass trials and tribulations in her daily routine as a teacher. She is consistently looking for new ways to have others think of the precious gift called life and that it is crucial to be yourself and not take things for granted. Her strong desire to provide others with the tools and knowledge that they can overcome anything by never giving up, using resources around them, looking up to positive role models and realizing that they are in the drivers seat to create the life they want is only one of her many messages.

Navigating Through Quicksand

After teaching for over a decade, Ashley decided it was time to spread her message to larger audiences. Moving forward, she started the company Navigating Through Quicksand, LLC. Navigating Through Quicksand is what life is about, often times we feel stuck whether in a relationship, friendship, in our own mind, spot in time, career, etc. One thing to always remember is we can get ourselves both into and out of situations. In fact, sometimes the only thing we need is our internal compass and remembering that having both ourselves and others consistently polish the diamond we have inside it will in turn shine on the world and make a positive difference.

Ashley teaches the life lessons that encompass trials and tribulations in her daily routine as a teacher. She is consistently looking for new ways to have others think of the precious gift called life and that it is crucial to be yourself and not take things for granted. Her strong desire to provide others with the tools and knowledge that they can overcome anything by never giving up, using resources around them, looking up to positive role models and realizing that they are in the drivers seat to create the life they want is only one of her many messages.

motivating, engaging & creative

Awards, Education & Experience

Awards

Toastmasters District 31
2021 Division E
International Speech Contest
First Place

MIAA Wellness Coordinator of The Year
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
Oct 2013

ACE Award
Shepherd Hill Varsity Girls Volleyball Team
2011

Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges
2006

Education

Augustana University (SD)
Plus 60 Credits, Education
2016

Augustana College (SD)
Plus 30 Credits, Education
2013

Worcester State University
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Concentration Health
2010

Worcester State University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Health Education
2007

Quinsigamond Community College
Associate of Arts (A.A.), General Studies
2001

Experience

SADD Advisor
Sep 2017 – 2019

Game Change Advisor
Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership
Sep 2016 – 2019

Wellness Coordinator
Dudley-Charlton Region School District
Sep 2008 – 2019

Teacher
Dudley-Charlton Region School District
Sep 2007 – 2020

Department Coordinator PE/Health/FCS
Dudley-Charlton Region School District
Jul 2012 – Jun 2015

Challenge Course Manager
Dudley-Charlton Region School District
Jul 2012 – Jun 2015

JV Soccer Coach
Shepherd Hill Regional High School
2009 – 2014, 2018

What People Say
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Tyler Cyr
Baseball Coach
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Jamie Millett Schaefer
Softball Coach
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Andrea O' Brien
Softball Coach
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Derek Leal
Assistant Coach
Slide 1
"All in all this was a meaningful experience for the team and with reminders throughout the season, you can see that Ashley’s hard work and caring attitude made an impact on the boys.”
Slide 2
"I would encourage any coach looking to give athletes an opportunity to improve their team culture and student-athete’s mental and emotional resiliency to sign up for a workshop with NTQ!”
Slide 3
"Navigating Through Quicksand with Ashley is an exceptional experience that leaves you feeling inspired, empowered, and more connected as a team.”
Slide 4
"Some challenging team building exercises proved to bring the players closer together in achieving our ultimate goal of competing together as one.”

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

—Maya Angelou