My commitment to students in foster care, poverty, and with disabilities is personal. As a child, I engaged with systems that weren’t built for all of us.

I ran in 2022 because I believe the students most impacted by our schools have the clearest vision for change. They deserve real power, not just a seat in the room, but the ability to lead and hold us accountable.

My lived experience helps shine light on issues that are often ignored. And I’ve seen how powerful it is for kids like me to see themselves in leadership.

I know how hard it is to succeed while dealing with instability, trauma, or poverty. These challenges don’t mean a child can’t thrive, they mean it’s our responsibility, as a community and school system, to remove the barriers standing in their way.

As a neurodivergent mom raising a neurodivergent child, and married to a former special education paraeducator, I care deeply about inclusion and support for every learner.

If we build strong supports for those who need them most, every student benefits. Any family can face hardship—disability, housing insecurity, or foster care—and every child deserves a school system that sees them, supports them, and believes in them.

This work is personal. It’s about more than policy—it’s about belonging.

I have proudly served on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners since January 2023. I'm a full-time working mom and nonprofit leader based in Central West Baltimore. Before joining the board, I was deeply involved in advocacy efforts to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and was part of a successful coalition that testified in Annapolis to secure voting rights for our student board member. I bring over 20 years of experience as a civil servant and was a union member with MPEC, affiliated with AFT Maryland. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development and Security and am currently pursuing my MBA at the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Stay tuned for the 2026 Platform!!

• In November 2022, Ashley Esposito made history as the first mom elected to the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, earning nearly 29% of the vote in the city’s first-ever school board election.

• Serves as Chair of the Policy Committee.

• Represents the board and district in ongoing conversations about improving student transportation.

• As a certified Blueprint Advocate, advocates for budget priorities that fund literacy support, career and technical education, teacher retention, and closing resource gaps between schools.

• Collaborated with the district to strengthen policies and supports for youth in foster care and students experiencing homelessness.

• A consistent advocate for early learning, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, arts education, vocational pathways, environmental justice, and students facing housing and foster care challenges.

• One of only 20 school board members nationwide certified in Empowered School Board Governance through a partnership with School Board Partners and Colorado State University Global.

• Represents Baltimore City Public Schools on a state-level Equity Committee.

• Developing essential infrastructure to ensure new board members are equipped with key information from day one to lead effectively and make lasting change.

• Currently part of the board tasked with hiring the next CEO who will lead the district into the future.