Meet Our Founder & Executive Director

Ashley Phelps, PhD

A Visionary Leader for Unique Learners

Dr. Ashley Phelps is a mission-driven education leader with nearly two decades of experience dedicated to supporting teachers, students, and school systems. With a PhD in Education (Leadership, Policy, & Change) and a background spanning public, charter, and virtual school environments, she has spent her career at the intersection of instructional innovation and student advocacy.

Along her journey, Ashley identified a critical gap in the support system for families of students with unique needs. She witnessed firsthand the challenges caregivers face when navigating complex educational roadmaps and the need for high-quality, differentiated STEM and literacy interventions that meet students exactly where they are.

Why Auctus? A Commitment to Every Family

Driven by a passionate desire to serve all students and their families, Ashley founded Auctus Education Collaborative to move beyond traditional schooling boundaries. Her vision was to create a nonprofit organization that offers a holistic "Tri-Core" approach: providing evidence-based literacy and STEM enrichment while simultaneously empowering other educators and caregivers through professional training opportunities.

Ashley’s unique combination of Florida Educator Certifications—including Educational Leadership, Exceptional Student Education (K-12), and Reading (K-12)—ensures that Auctus is grounded in both pedagogical excellence and a deep understanding of state and federal compliance. By founding this organization, she is scaling her lifelong commitment to advancing equity and supporting underserved populations, ensuring that quality educational opportunities are an accessible reality for every family in Florida.