Coach. Professor. Phy ed teacher. And now a teacher at ND Vision Services/School for the Blind. Ashley Chase’s career has always revolved around education. Ashley, who will be working alongside Regional Coordinators across the state as well as helping support short-term programming in Grand Forks, just began her new role in August, but she is already looking at long-term opportunities and will be pursuing another graduate degree in Orientation & Mobility at Portland State starting this spring. “I love empowering people to be the very best version of themselves and try to meet aspirations that they may have in their life – and that is what NDVS/SB does,” she says. “I knew I wanted to be a part of that mission every day!” Continue reading to learn more about Ashley.
Where did you grow up/go to school?
I grew up in Grand Forks. I attended Mayville State University for my undergraduate degree in Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education and Health. I also attended the University of North Dakota for my M.S. in Special Education and the University of North Georgia for my other M.S. in Kinesiology.
What other jobs have you held?
I worked at Mayville State University as an Assistant Volleyball Coach (7 years) and then transitioned into teaching in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department as an Assistant Professor (5 years). I then went into the K-12 world and worked at South Middle School in Grand Forks as a Physical Education Teacher.
What are you most excited about as you start your new job?
The most exciting thing for me is getting to know all the amazing work that is done every day by NDVS/SB across the state and nation really. I believe the general population does not know all the amazing work that NDVS/SB does!
Is there anything you think people would be surprised to know or learn about NDVS/SB?
I think people would be surprised at the size of our community that we serve. We are not only supporting the individual’s needs, but the individual’s support system: family, teachers, paras, peers, and other community members.
Tell us about your life outside of work.
I live in Grand Forks with my husband Bill Chase, and we enjoy adventures! You can catch us outdoors hiking, snowmobiling, dog sledding, or hopefully catching some fish. And when we are not doing those things, we are usually watching or attending sporting events.
Is there anything else you want people to know?
Helen Keller reminds us that “We live by each other and for each other. Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”