First, let me pronounce that it is very difficult to describe this impressive woman in just 500 characters. Not only is she is a wonderful teacher cultivating a new generation of young scientists, she is my personal mentor. Saying this as one of her pupils, I would like to get at the point that Mrs. Smith is one of the most determined woman I have ever gotten to know closely. She wants her students to pursue and become aware of real life situations around our community, as shown through her cutting edge use of technology and her positive behavior. I truly look up to her, impressed by her superior skills in student engagement, making the most out of every lesson. She has never started a day with the reading of paragraphs in a textbook. No, she encourages her students to interact with science in many different, vivid ways, whether it is hands-on demos with liquid nitrogen or it is an amazing episode of one of her very well done interactive videos. She works hard, working hours to an end devotedly to make these technologically advanced videos an experience never to be forgotten. Her skills and knowledge are a whole different subject all together, for they go far beyond the pages of any textbook. What I really like a lot about her is the fact that she is not afraid to engage the class in topics that one would think are to advanced for an eight-grader. She has skillful ways to make each and every one of her students understand challenging material. She understands the point that, each student has a different learning style set apart from others, very well, which she shows through a variety of her original labs and fiery lectures in class. What also sets her off from many other teachers is her genuine talent in engaging a class. She makes our whole 8th grade class feel confident and comfortable with a topic that might have been challenging in the last couple of years. All the students feel as if she is just one of us, for she interacts with us on a daily basis not just as our educator, but as a true friend we all look up to, someone we all want to be like one day. I also really appreciate the fact that she encourages all her students to try things outside of the classroom, such as a competitions, one is called You Be The Chemist, which with her motivating manner, I placed for the States level in. Without my dear Mrs.Smith, I would have no interest in science what so ever. She is my drive and my challenger, encouraging me to soar to new levels in confidence, the subject science itself, and much more. With that, I conclude, like every one of her many supporters, she has every ability to win the Bammy Award for Middle School Teaching. I say this with great pride, respect and love for my teacher, mentor, and friend. She has no doubt earned her way into this position, and all her students have complete faith in her winning the award. We appreciate her contributions, not just in science and education, but also in the fine art of teaching. Bravo and good luck!

I am a currently a student of Mrs. Smith's 8th grade science class. Mrs. Smiths videos have not only made science more interesting, it has also helped me become a better student. Mrs. Smith has found a way through videos to teach the material and make it entertaining at the same time. I'm so glad that I have the chance to be in her class. My classmates and I look forward to the next time the board says we have a video to watch for homework. Overall Mrs. Smith is one of the best teachers I have ever had and I wish that I never have to leave her class! Mrs. Smith deserves this award because she is a fantastic teacher!

I am currently a student in Ashlie Smith's class. Her teaching skills are superior to any other teacher I have ever had. Using her flipped classroom system, my grades have improves drastically. I thank Mrs. Smith for everything she has done for me and my fellow classmates. She deserves this award more than everyone else. Congratulations!

I had the privilege of being a part of Ashlie's very first class at Cranbrook 10 years ago when I was in 8th grade. Today, a full decade later, I still consider Ashlie to be a wonderful friend and mentor in my life. Until the 8th grade I never considered science to be a favorite subject, in fact it was not something I even really liked; it was Ashlie's class that first successfully instilled in me a passion and excitement for science. I have never had a teacher so genuinely enthusiastic about her subject and her students and that enthusiasm was contagious. Once I had learned to adopt her enthusiasm I found science to be incredibly fulfilling and I looked forward to class every single day. I am incredibly proud of Ashlie's nomination for this award and I feel fortunate she was one of my teachers. No one deserves the recognition more than she does. I truly believe she loved us girls who were her first students and I have no doubt she still shows the same level of devotion to her current class. Congratulations to my teacher and friend!

Ashlie was my 8th grade science teacher, a continuous mentor, as well as the organizer and my leader on an exploration trip to Belize in 2009. As a teacher Ashlie pushed me to not just want an A in her class, but to push myself for a clearer, deeper depth in understanding. As a potential Environmental Studies major, with a focus in Biology, at Middlebury College, I credit Ashlie for my desire to continue my studies in the sciences, due to our conversations throughout the years. Ashlie was also in charge of a school trip I went on to Belize while I was in high school. This trip sparked my interest in travelling, as well as becoming fluent in Spanish. Overall I would never have asked for a better teacher and mentor! Thanks Ashlie!