Five years into her teaching and coaching career, Brownwood High School graduate Ashley Gomez is proud to have started her career in the same community where she received her education.
“All five years have been at Brownwood Middle School and it’s been a great place to grow as an educator,” Gomez said. “I’m thankful to have started and built my career in the community I grew up in.”
Gomez splits her time on campus between teaching special education English and coaching.
“After college, a former teacher and coach reached out about an opening at Brownwood Middle School, and once I interviewed, I knew it was where I was meant to be,” Gomez said. “Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to grow into the role of English department head, which has allowed me to support both students and teachers in many different ways. I’ve always loved English, but I especially love helping students who struggle academically. It’s been such a gift to help them find confidence in reading and be their voice. With coaching, I grew up in sports, playing softball and running track, so I understand how important building strong relationships with your athletes can be as well. My goal is to support athletes not just in sports, but in life, too.”
After graduating from Brownwood High School, earning a degree from Tarleton State University further persuaded Gomez toward the education field.
“Growing up, sports were always my main focus, but along the way, there were teachers who left a lasting impact on me,” Gomez said. “When I started college, I wasn’t exactly sure what career I wanted to pursue, but I knew I wanted to work directly with people and make a lasting impact on their lives. I had the opportunity to volunteer at Stephenville ISD, where I helped with Backpack Buddies and worked alongside the Life Academics group through Special Olympics. Watching the way those teachers poured into their students lit a fire in me. For the first time, I could clearly see what I was meant to do. I found myself reflecting on the teachers who had shaped my own life, and I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else.”
Reflecting on educators who made the greatest impact in her life, Gomez said, “I’ve been fortunate to learn from many incredible teachers and coaches over the years, but two who really stand out are Coach Kunkel and Coach Hood. Both had a unique ability to make people feel seen, supported, and valued—not just as a student or athlete, but as an individual. They each made a lasting impression on me by showing the importance of not only education but also character. They led by example, teaching life lessons alongside academics, and made it clear that being a good human being matters just as much as performance in the classroom. The educators who leave the greatest impact invest in their students on a deeper level, helping shape them into better individuals. That’s exactly what Coach Kunkel and Coach Hood did for me.”
As for the most rewarding part of her job, Gomez said, “There are a few things, but the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing growth—watching that moment when something finally clicks for a student after they’ve been working towards a goal. I also value the relationships I get to build along the way. It’s the small victories that sometime mean the most and taking time to point those out so students can feel seen. I don’t have kids of my own, but I truly consider my students and athletes ‘my kids.’ The time, energy, and heart it takes to pour into them and watch them succeed is what motivates me every single day.”
Looking toward her future as a teacher, Gomez said, “I’m really excited about how teaching is becoming more creative and adaptive. There are so many new ways to reach students, whether it’s through technology or thinking outside the box while lesson planning with colleagues. It’s all about meeting kids where they are and making learning something they can connect with.”
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BrownwoodNews.com will highlight one Brown County educator per day in the month of July, based on nominations received on our Facebook page, for our Teacher Feature series.