About the First LADY
Ashley Hayes Newton
Ashley Hayes Newton is a native of New Haven, CT where she spent over 10 years as an educator in the New Haven Public School System. A 2007 graduate of Spelman College, Ashley has a passion for education that was honed as an intern for the Children Defense Fund in Washington, DC. and further cultivated while a Teach for America Corps member. Having earned a master’s degree at Southern Connecticut State University in Reading, Ashley understands that the achievement gap is largely a literacy gap and is committed to literacy achievement and educational equity. Most recently, Ashley received her 6th Year in Educational Leadership at Sacred Heart University and is currently works as an educational consultant. As an educator, Ashley has worked to advance educational equity, improve the quality of teaching and learning as an instructional leader, mentor, adjunct professor, and coach.
Throughout her career, relationship-building has been at the center of Ashley’s success. Establishing trusting relationships and positive rapport with students, families and colleagues has always been a top priority and a skill that Ashley has been able to transfer to her work in ministry. As a member of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church in New Haven, CT, Ashley served the children and youth ministries in several different capacities including Superintendent of the BUDS of Promise and Director of Children, where the ministry grew tremendously during her tenure. Ashley has always been inspired by the children she’s worked with and is a firm believer in the importance of taking time to celebrate and develop children. She believes we are shaping the future of the church by the children’s ministries of today and is excited to continue that work at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park. On a district level, Ashley is the Camden District W.H.O.M.S Secretary of Supply.
The former Ashley Hayes was married to Rev. Quavon Z. Newton on April 16, 2016. Ashley’s hobbies include reading and traveling but she enjoys nothing more than spending time with family. Of everything she has done or will do, her greatest accomplishment will always be the birth of her children Eden and Quinn.