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Ashley Naranjo
Bridging museums and classrooms for deeper learning
Professional Background
Ashley Naranjo, M.Ed., is a distinguished museum educator with extensive expertise in leveraging digital resources to enhance teaching and learning experiences. With a passion for education that spans over a decade, Ashley currently plays a pivotal role at the Smithsonian Institution, where she serves as the Manager of Educator Engagement & Strategic Partnerships within the Office of the Under Secretary for Education. Her career journey is marked by a commitment to professional development, as she has developed and implemented numerous opportunities for educators, librarians, and fellow museum professionals since 2011.
Prior to her impactful work at the Smithsonian, Ashley garnered valuable experience in both formal and informal educational settings. She has worked as an ESOL instructor for adults, taught humanities at the middle school level, and managed summer programs, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to education. With a background that incorporates modern technology in learning, Ashley is at the forefront of educational innovation, helping educators adapt to the digital age.
Education and Achievements
Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, specializing in Developmental Psychology, from the esteemed Lynch School of Education at Boston College. During her time there, she was actively involved in research as a research assistant and an independent study student within the Laboratory of Thinking, Learning & Cognition in the Arts, where she developed a deep understanding of the cognitive processes involved in learning.
In pursuit of furthering her expertise, Ashley completed her Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology from the prestigious University of Southern California. Her thesis, entitled “Using Digital Museum Resources in the Classroom,” reflects her commitment to integrating digital resources in educational curriculum, emphasizing the importance of museum resources in enriching the learning experience.
To further her leadership skills and broaden her perspective within the museum field, Ashley graduated from the Getty Leadership Institute’s NextGen of Museum Leaders program in 2019. This invaluable experience equipped her with advanced skills in leadership and strategic thinking within the context of museum education.
Notable Professional Experiences
Over the years, Ashley has held several notable positions that showcase her broad skill set and deep commitment to education. At the Smithsonian Institution's Center for Learning and Digital Access, she served as a Museum Educator, facilitating engaging educational experiences for diverse audiences. Her role involved creating interactive and dynamic learning opportunities that foster engagement and knowledge sharing.
Prior to her tenure at the Smithsonian, Ashley significantly contributed to educational initiatives at various institutions. During her role as the Saturday Program and Substitute ESOL Instructor at Lado International College, she supported learners in developing their English language skills, an essential tool for integration and success in diverse environments.
Ashley also served as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher at Saint Agnes School, where she implemented lesson plans and effectively managed classroom dynamics, ensuring a positive and productive learning environment for her students. Additionally, her talents were recognized as she took on the role of Assistant Summer Programs Director at Congressional School, where she oversaw summer learning initiatives, fostering an enriching educational environment for children during the summer months.
Notably, Ashley has also held the position of Lead ESOL Teacher at Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington, contributing her expertise in English language instruction to support individuals from various backgrounds in achieving their educational goals.
Moreover, her leadership capabilities shone through in her role as the Interim Main Campus Director and Intensive Program Coordinator at LADO International Institute, where she coordinated intensive English programs and managed a team of educators.
Ashley’s work at WorldTeach further enriched her teaching repertoire, allowing her to share her love of learning and language across international borders. As an ESOL Literacy Teacher with the Arlington Education and Employment Program, she directly impacted learners by enhancing their literacy skills, which play a critical role in personal and professional growth.
Additionally, Ashley began her relationship with the Smithsonian Institution as an Intern Services Program Assistant, where she gained invaluable insight into the inner workings of one of the world’s leading cultural institutions. Her time as a Student Office Assistant within the Office of the Dean of Student Development at Boston College provided her with foundational administrative skills that have proven beneficial throughout her career.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Ashley Naranjo has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to museum education, with a particular emphasis on integrating technology into learning environments. Her dedication to professional development has significantly impacted the way educators collaborate, strategize, and engage with their students in the context of museum resources.
In addition to her roles and responsibilities, Ashley's educational background and practical experience have positioned her as a leader in the field of museum education. Her innovative approaches and commitment to fostering partnerships have made her an invaluable asset to the Smithsonian and the broader educational community. Through her leadership, countless educators have been equipped to inspire and engage their students in meaningful ways, surfacing the academic potential within each learner.
With a profound commitment to lifelong learning, Ashley continuously seeks to improve her skills and knowledge, staying abreast of the latest trends in educational technology and museum education. Her mission to make learning accessible and captivating for all learners is evident in her work, and she continues to advocate for the role of museums in education.
Ashley Naranjo's journey exemplifies the transformative power of education, particularly through the application of digital resources in teaching and learning. Her expertise in museum education, combined with her rich background in varied educational contexts, lays the groundwork for continued innovation and success in her future endeavors.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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