From training for triathlons to studying to get her masters degree, Ms. Ashley Chaney keeps busy while also adapting to her new life in Northern California.

Chaney is a new Integrated Math I and II teacher here and has enjoyed her welcome so far.  Before moving, Chaney worked at Vasquez High School and Golden Valley High School both in Los Angeles. She has taught for three years. While living in Los Angeles, Chaney kept busy by coaching the high school cheer team, as well as an All-Star competitive cheer team, California Flyers.

At first, Chaney had no idea she wanted to teach. It wasn’t until her AP Calculus teacher, Mr. Seth Groller, inspired her to become a teacher. As Chaney watched Groller impact students’ lives she knew that she wanted to have that same impact on people.

After beginning her career path, Chaney realized she missed being at a big high school, like the one she attended, and missed the school spirit as well as the involvement on campus. Because of this, she started looking for change.

Her fiance told her about the opening here at she jumped at the opportunity.

Although moving 408.5 miles may seem like a big transition, for Chaney it has been exactly the change she was looking for.

“Before I used to be able to stick my hand outside the window and high-five my neighbor because everything was so close, so it’s nice to have some more space to myself,“ Chaney said.

She now lives on five acres with her fiance and two dogs, Slate and Tellula. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and going to the river to swim with her dogs. Math isn’t the only thing Chaney loves. She loves going outdoors and has completed 5 and 10K races, and is now training to compete in a triathlon.

“At first, I was nervous about teaching at a new school. So far, though, it’s been a very positive experience and I’m hoping that I will be able to work here for the rest of my career,” she said.

On top of all her hobbies, she is also in school to get her master’s degree. Chaney hopes to implement new learning strategies and teamwork skills to make math more enjoyable.

“I think Ms. Chaney is nice and I love how she gets involved in the class” Eli Brickhandler said.

From living in the big city of Los Angeles to moving to a small town, Chaney has changed her life dramatically over the past year.

by ALIANNA AVILES, EMC COWLES, ISABEL BARRAGAN, NATHAN SEMANKSI & PAYTON ARTHUR