Ashley A. Kannan is a 2024-2025 Illinois Senior Policy Fellow who 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 cohort. He coaches the Julian Girls’ Basketball team and sponsors Rainbow Tribe, the school’s and district’s first safe space/affinity group for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ashley was named Cook County Regional Teacher of the Year and finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2022. He is a six-time Golden Apple Award nominee and received an award of merit from the Illinois State Board of Education. Ashley is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescent/ Young Adulthood/ Social Studies- History. He earned his BA in politics, philosophy, and literature of modern Europe from Kenyon College and an MA in education from DePaul University.
