Ashley Claas, a Georgia Southern graduate student, has redefined her path by combining group fitness instruction with secondary education, earning Campus Recreation & Intramurals’ highest awards: Leader of the Pack and Instructor of the Year. The Watkinsville, Georgia native initially planned to attend the University of Georgia but was redirected to Georgia Southern by a surge in applications following the COVID-19 pandemic.
While completing her bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus on history, Claas became a group fitness instructor in fall 2023. She described how the role helped heal her relationship with exercise and her body. “I was a competitive dancer growing up, and I didn’t have the most healthy relationship with exercise or my body. And I think social media nowadays can be really discouraging when everyone looks picture-perfect all the time. Doing these classes helped heal something in me,” Claas said. After completing her undergraduate degree in 2024, she earned a graduate assistant position in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, teaching group spin classes, aerobics and small-group fitness, while mentoring new RAC instructors.
Claas’s passion for fitness extended beyond campus. In February 2026, she was a presenter at the Southeast Collegiate Fitness Expo, speaking to more than 600 fellow students about inclusive, joyful fitness programming. Through Georgia Southern’s flexible master’s in secondary education program, she successfully balanced her passion for wellness and teaching. Dr. Barrow, a mentor in the College of Education, affirmed that “there’s nothing wrong with changing your plans,” validating Claas’s decision to explore professional group fitness instruction alongside teaching. As she moves into her next chapter, Claas hopes to inspire others to embrace change and get involved in their communities.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/2026/05/07/georgia-southern-graduate-student-redefines-fitness-culture-while-fostering-a-passion-for-teaching-both-in-and-out-of-the-classroom