Ashley A. Kannan is a 2022-2023 Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellow who teaches 8th grade American History as well as African American Studies at Percy Julian Middle School. Ashley serves as co-chair of the History Department and is a member of the district’s diversity council. He coaches the Julian Jayhawks 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 recently 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.
