Extraordinary Educator: Meet Ashley Woods, a culinary arts teacher

Renae Skinner
·1 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — There’s something always cooking inside the culinary arts department at East Baton Rouge Career and Technical Education Center. The chef behind the sweet and savory smells that fill the hallways is Ashley Woods.

Woods has been teaching for three years. She has one year under her belt at CTEC but she’s seasoned when it comes to spices. Woods is also a pro with pots and pans, and more.

“Just being able to share my knowledge of food and cooking with kids. I know that I can impact them for a lifetime,” Woods explained.

Woods prepared a succulent dish, smothered potatoes with sausage. Woods says she hopes her students are learning more than just how to prepare a menu.

Extraordinary Educator: A creative teacher who shows her students the arts

“I want them to be better than me, I do, I want them to be a better chef than I am but ultimately to be a better person,” Woods said. “To be kind, to be courteous to people and to always be willing to feed somebody.”

Woods says she prides herself in having a good relationship with each and every student.

“Having a good relationship with them it’s easier to reach them. I can talk to them they can come to me and talk to me about problems they have at home,” said Woods.

This chef has the perfect ingredients for connecting with kids. Woods cares and serves, hoping they’ll catch on and pass the kindness forward.

“Cooking a meal for themselves that’s a lifetime thing,” Woods explained. “You can make a bowl of grits; you can make something very simple and still feed yourself or your family.”

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