Ashley A. Kannan is a 2025-2026 Teach Plus Leading Edge Educator Fellow. He teaches 8th grade American History and African American Studies at Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, Illinois. Ashley serves as co-chair of the history department and is a member of the district’s Black Excellence in Teaching in Oak Park and Portrait of a Graduate cohorts. He coaches the Julian Girls’ Basketball team and sponsors Rainbow Tribe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. A National Board Certified teacher, Ashley was named Cook County Regional Teacher of the Year and is a six-time Golden Apple Award nominee. He is a Teach Plus Senior Writing Fellow, Teach Plus Illinois Senior Policy Fellow, and a Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship alum. He earned his BA in politics, philosophy, and literature of modern Europe from Kenyon College and an MA in education from DePaul University. Ashley’s op-eds have been published in the Chicago Tribune and Wednesday Journal, among other outlets.
