Ansley Page

Hometown
Brentwood, TN (South)
Quick Intro
I began my teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher assistant at St. Paul Christian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee for one year. I then moved into the public school world as a 5th grade Social Studies teacher at STRIVE Collegiate Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. I saw a need for development in the school, created a role, and became the Director of Development at STRIVE for the next four years. I developed a high school prep curriculum and taught to 8th grade students as well as assisted all 8th grade families with high school placements, lead the recruitment initiatives for the school, and did fundraising and community outreach programming for the school. I am currently in my third year at Battle Ground Academy as the Associate Director of Admissions for our preschool programs and lower school.

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Ansley Page

Ansley graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's in elementary education, with concentrations in social studies, English, and special education. She holds a masters' in educational leadership from Lipscomb University. Ansley joined the SOE Board of Advisors in Fall 2024.

Meet Ansley Page

What led you to want to serve on the School of Education Board of Advisors?

Jacob Ferguson and I connected when he was in town and I felt called to give back to the great program who formed me to be a teacher. I think it's such an honor to be a leader in a program who poured so much into shaping my values as an educator.

Why did you choose to attend UM and the School of Education?

I chose Ole Miss over UT (Tennessee) because Ole Miss felt like home. I originally was a Hospitality Management major to become a wedding planner, but quickly decided against that path as I wanted my weekends. Dr. David Rock was in line with me at Subway one day in the Student Union and convinced me to switch my major to education and I've been in the education world ever since!

Tell us about your favorite professor(s) at the School of Education? How did they make a positive impact on your professional and personal pursuits?

Dr. David Rock. He is persuasive, funny, and the reason I am an educator today! He encouraged me to pursue my love of learning and continue it through teaching.

Tell us about your proudest moment in education.

Becoming teacher of the year, my first year with my own classroom. After a year of applying to schools and being told I didn't have enough experience (even though my senior year placement was consistent experience) I was accepted to a new charter middle school and worked my tail off building culture and cultivating joy in my classroom. It was like my own adult "ah ha" moment that I had chosen the right career.

Do you have any advice for our current students?

It's hard. One of the hardest jobs I think that exists. Your mind never stops thinking about your students. But it's also one of the most rewarding jobs. Be purposeful and root yourself in your "why" and don't turn back. Be resilient for yourself, but also for your students.

Is there anything else you wish to share?

I am a mom to Waylon (1 year old); I met my husband at Ole Miss freshman year; one of our dog's name is Swayze for the baseball field; and the wedding cake martini at Boure is the best enjoyed on the second floor balcony on a Friday afternoon after a long week of teaching.