Originally from Ojai, Ashlee Nishiya has an ardent love for the written word. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in English, then moved on to California State University Northridge for her teaching credential and Master’s degree in English.
She taught high school English for several years in Austin, Texas, but found herself drawn more and more to the library, where she kindled a passion for helping students and teachers alike with projects and research. So, she decided to return to school to obtain her Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas. She became an elementary school librarian, and then a teen librarian, before moving back to Southern California. Ashlee taught English at Oxnard High School last year before coming to Ojai Valley School.
In addition to her librarian’s duties, Ashlee is also working in Language Assistance and Study Hall and teaches Informational Literacy and Research Skills. Her husband, Ken, works at the OVS Lower Campus as a Spanish teacher. Her two children — 5-year-old Zooey and 3-year-old Kai — attend Kindergarten and Pre-K at the Lower Campus. Ashlee loves spending time with her family, as well as reading, writing, hiking and cycling.