Justin is a pioneer of public education—a nationally-recognized, award-winning teacher, published author, work-life balance coach, and motivational speaker from Charlotte, North Carolina, where he began teaching in 2007.
He has taught for 16 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He earned his undergraduate education degree as a NC Teaching Fellows Scholar at UNC Charlotte and also a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate University.
He and his students are known for two historical hip-hop videos that went viral on YouTube- STRAIGHT INTTA OREGON and Rights, Rights Baby. Justin’s class takes on various projects to bring learning to life through hands-on units like Revolutionary Water Balloon Battles and service projects in the community.
In 2011, Justin was named the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools East Zone Teacher of the Year. In 2013, he became the only teacher ever to win two state titles—the North Carolina History Teacher of the Year and North Carolina Social Studies Teacher of the Year—in the same year.
In 2013, Justin worked alongside the NC Association of Education as an outspoken advocate for education in the Tar Heel State amid a 500 million dollar budget cut to school funding. His letter to Thom Tillis (State House Speaker) remains the most widely read post on the Charlotte Observer’s education blog. Diane Ravitch, Assistant Secretary of Education under the Bush Administration, also spotlighted it on her blog.
His first book, The Balanced Teacher Path, was published in 2017 and is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. The Miami Herald and NPR have highlighted it.
His blog post, The Life Lesson a Teacher of the Year Learned in Rehab, made the list of the Top 10 Quotes in US Education Issues in 2017 by Education Week.
His second book, Blaze Your Own Trail, a self-help book for teens with depression and anxiety, was released on October 31st, 2023.
Most importantly, Justin is a proud husband to his wonderful wife, Samantha, and a loving father to his two spirited kids, Cole and Savannah. He enjoys shooting basketball with his son, playing Yoshi with his daughter, and nature walking with his wife. His favorite family vacation spots in North Carolina are Wilmington and Asheville.
Justin Ashley 