Meet Our New Middle School Teacher Ashley Smallfield
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to welcome Mrs. Ashley Smallfield to the SFLS family! She will join our middle school teaching team during the 2026-27 school year as our 6th grade homeroom and middle school English Language Arts studies teacher.
Mrs. Smallfield holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Education and Reading, both from Augustana University. She began her teaching career at SFLS several years ago, and looks forward to returning to our Christ-centered community after more than a decade away serving at Enemy Swim Day School and Patrick Henry Middle School. She also looks forward to having her two children attend the same school where she works.
Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Mrs. Smallfield and her passion for middle school education.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.
My husband, Jesse, and I have two kids. Gracie is six and in 1st grade this year; Levi is four and in 4-year-old preschool. We also have a dog named Elsa.
Tell me about your education and teaching experience.
I attended Augustana University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I have an Elementary Education degree with a middle school endorsement, and a Master’s degree in Education and Reading.
I taught at Sioux Falls Lutheran School for a few years right out of college. I mostly taught middle school math and language arts, while helping out in other areas as needed. Then I moved to Webster, SD, to work at Enemy Swim Day School, where I taught 2nd grade literacy. For the past nine years, I worked at Patrick Henry Middle School as a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher. I am excited to be back at Sioux Falls Lutheran, where my kids will attend school as well!
How did you decide to pursue a career in education?
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old. I remember “playing school” with my stuffed animals and dolls. They made the best students, since my little sister wouldn’t sit still!
Tell me a bit about your teaching style.
My teaching style is a balance of whole-group instruction, collaboration, and independent learning. My goal is to create an engaging, supportive classroom where students feel challenged and successful.
What do you enjoy most about working with middle school students?
What I enjoy most about working with middle schoolers is being able to help them grow academically, while also developing the skills they need to become confident, independent learners. I enjoy finding ways to make learning meaningful and engaging, especially when I can connect lessons to students’ interests and experiences. Middle school is such an important time for building strong academic foundations, and I find it rewarding to see students gain confidence, take ownership of their learning, and make progress toward their goals.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is a family community committed to developing capable Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, our vision is to partner with families in preparing children, as led by the Holy Spirit, for faithful and bold use of their God-given gifts to navigate and serve a complex world with the love of Christ.