ASHLEY WILKINS OF PETERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL NAMED TO GLOBAL 30 UNDER 30 LIST
Newark, Del. (January 13, 2025) — Ashley Wilkins, ELA Teacher at Petersburg High School, has been named to the International Literacy Association’s (ILA) 2025 30 Under 30 list, which highlights emerging leaders who are transforming literacy education and promoting equity in classrooms, communities and beyond.
This global cohort features changemakers from 12 countries, all under the age of 30, who are driving innovations and advocating for accessible, inclusive learning experiences. Wilkins, a 28-year-old from Baker, WV, was honored for facilitating Socratic seminars which encourage respectful discussions on literature. A recent Milken Educator Award winner—a $25,000 award—she also teaches a dual-credit college English class, engages in fundraising initiatives, serves as the junior class sponsor, and is a member of the Local School Improvement Council.
“All of the outside factors that students come to us with daily often impact their ability and openness to learn,” she notes. “But inside our classrooms, we can make students feel welcome, safe, and loved, and that makes all the difference.”
“Literacy is more than a skill; it’s a pathway to opportunity, equity and empowerment,” said ILA Executive Director Nicola Wedderburn. “The young leaders on our 2025 30 Under 30 list exemplify this belief through their groundbreaking work. They are the advocates, educators and innovators redefining what literacy means in an ever-changing world.”
“Our goal is to amplify their voices and support their efforts as they continue shaping the future of literacy,” Wedderburn added. “Through this program, we hope to inspire collaboration, innovation, and advocacy that transcends borders and creates lasting impact.”
Past 30 Under 30 honorees have included Patrick Harris, a humanities teacher in Michigan who helped transform his middle school English department into a social justice–oriented humanities program; Samantha Boateng, author and founder of Read 2 Lead in Ghana; Allister Chang, a civic engagement pioneer and founder of Civic Suds in Washington, D.C.; and Shiza Shahid, cofounder of the Malala Fund.
Profiles of the 2025 honorees are featured in the January/February/March 2025 issue of Literacy Today, ILA’s member magazine. The issue, released today, offers insights into the honorees’ impactful contributions and visions for the future of literacy. To explore their stories, visit literacyworldwide.org/30under30.
About the International Literacy Association
The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a professional membership organization of literacy educators, researchers and experts spanning 128 countries. For nearly 70 years, ILA has set the standard for how literacy is defined, taught and evaluated, connecting research and practice to improve the quality of literacy learning across the globe. Through its Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, ILA provides an evidence-based benchmark for the development and evaluation of literacy professional preparation programs. ILA collaborates with partners across the world to develop, gather and disseminate high-quality resources, which include three peer-reviewed and edited journals—The Reading Teacher, Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy and Reading Research Quarterly. Learn more at literacyworldwide.org.