At Easterseals Arkansas, our mission comes to life through team members who show up every day with skill, heart, and a deep commitment to inclusion. This week, we are proud to spotlight Ashlee DuPriest, Director of our Little Rock Developmental Preschool, where children with and without disabilities learn and grow together in a supportive, welcoming environment.
A Calling to Early Intervention and Nonprofit Work
Ashlee joined Easterseals Arkansas in September 2019. She knew she wanted to work in an Early Intervention Day Treatment program, and she has felt drawn to nonprofit work for as long as she can remember.
When she moved back to Little Rock and started job searching, Easterseals was at the top of her list; she’d been hearing about it for years.
She wanted to be here so much that she accepted a part-time role as a Developmental Therapist, even though she was not sure how she would make reduced hours work at first.
Within a few months, Ashlee moved into full-time work. Not long after, she realized how deeply she cared about the organization.
“Something inside me told me to take the job and figure the rest out later. It felt like home, and I knew Easterseals was the place for me.”
Supporting Families Through Years of Education and Experience
Ashlee brings 16 years of experience in early intervention, childcare, and pediatrics.
Her education includes:
- Master of Arts in Special Education, Arkansas State University
- Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Major in Communication Disorders
- Minor in Human Development and Family Sciences
Across her career, Ashlee has built a wide range of experience that serves her well as a preschool director. She has worked as a teacher, a speech-language pathology assistant, an EIDT preschool assistant director, a developmental therapist, and an education and curriculum coordinator.
Each role helped shape how she leads today, with a focus on strong classrooms, thoughtful curriculum, and child-centered support. Now, as the Director of Easterseals Arkansas’s Little Rock Developmental Preschool, she says she is doing her dream job.
About Her Work: Advocating for Children & Families
Ask Ashlee what she is best at, and you will hear about her natural connection with children. She is often able to calm a child quickly, help them refocus, and meet them right where they are.
She is also a strong problem-solver who enjoys adapting in the moment and finding solutions as needs change throughout the day.
Most of all, Ashlee is known as an advocate.
She cares deeply about ensuring the children in our preschool receive what they need and deserve. When asked what she is most passionate about, she replied:
“I’m passionate about creating equitable experiences where every child can thrive and be themselves; because exactly who they are is perfect.”
Life Outside Directing a Preschool
Outside of work, Ashlee loves traveling and exploring new places. She enjoys experiencing different cultures and environments, and she hopes to keep seeing more of the world throughout her life.
She also loves music and says it is the one thing she would never be able to give up.
“I love music—there’s something powerful about how a song can transport you to another time, another mindset, or a different emotion entirely. I start and end my day with my favorite songs.”
On a day off, you will likely find her at home with her fiancé, Dillon, and their two cats, Olive and Opal. She also loves spending time with her family, especially her three-year-old nephew, Ian.
Ashlee grew up in Little Rock, lived in Fayetteville for nine years, and later returned home to be closer to family.
A Commitment to Community Involvement
Ashlee is often involved in Easterseals events, volunteering and supporting in any way she can. She enjoys building connections with staff, families, and the individuals we serve.
In college, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, where they spent a lot of time volunteering. One of her favorite efforts was fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In 2022, Ashlee was also nominated as one of Arkansas’s Finest Young Professionals through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
A Legacy of Kindness and Integrity
Ashlee hopes people would describe her as happy, kind, and well-intentioned. She strives to live with integrity and to do the right thing every day. Her own losses and life experiences have shaped how she shows up for others, with care, compassion, and gratitude.
“I try to continuously remind myself to live with gratitude and never take life for granted.”
Fun Fact That Led to Who She Is Now
In second grade, Ashlee took a sign language class that became her favorite. She still remembers how excited she felt learning a new way to communicate and connect.
That moment stayed with her, and it helped point her toward the work she does today: helping children communicate, learn, and thrive.
Thank you, Ashlee!
Easterseals Arkansas is stronger because of leaders like Ashlee DuPriest, people who combine expertise with compassion and who help create classrooms where every child belongs.
Want to create a world of possibilities? Join our team!
If Ashlee’s story inspires you, explore our open roles and learn how you can be part of a mission-driven team.
