Education Pathway continues to support aspiring teacher Ashley Palacio

Palacio is giving back by mentoring current BHS students

Ashley Palacio’s passion for teaching was sparked at Burnsville High School, where inspiring mentors and hands-on Education Pathway courses laid the foundation for her future in education.

Now finishing her sophomore year at Concordia University in St. Paul, the 2023 BHS graduate is already giving back—helping guide the next generation of aspiring educators. After being contacted by BHS teacher Matt Deutsch, Palacio reconnected with her alma mater this year to support students enrolled in the same education courses that once shaped her own journey.

“I’m working alongside Ms. Parent as she teaches the Intro to Education and Multicultural Education courses,” Palacio said. “I help students with the college process, answer their questions, and support them with class assignments. While I’m here to help them, I also feel really supported by Ms. Parent and Mr. Deutsch.”

Those same dual-credit courses—worth six college credits—helped her transition smoothly into higher education.

“Those classes definitely prepared me for college-level work and gave me a head start—I entered college a semester ahead,” she said. “Plus, the field experience I got working with elementary students at BHS gave me a real sense of what to expect in the classroom.”

Palacio’s involvement in the Education Pathway has continued to pay off. During her first two years at Concordia, she received two Department of Education grants totaling $12,000. All students who complete the Education Pathway at BHS and plan to pursue an education degree in college are eligible to apply for these grants. 

“It’s awesome,” she said. “The grant allowed me to live on campus my freshman year, which was a great experience.”

This summer, Palacio is continuing to gain hands-on experience, serving as a lead teacher at a daycare preschool in Prior Lake.

“Thanks to my education and experience, I was able to become a lead teacher,” Palacio said. “It’s going really great and it’s definitely preparing me for being a teacher at an elementary school.”