Ashley Morgan is not your typical teacher.

Sure she’s articulate, asks thought-provoking questions and sometimes has to stop lectures to break up child’s play.

But what makes this teacher different from others is that she is only 17.

Ashley, a senior at Detroit’s University Preparatory High School, is getting a head start on a career in teaching.

Last year, she founded Misses, a class that teaches University Preparatory Elementary School girls how to overcome peer pressure and other societal woes to become “little misses.” The program is currently being expanded to include middle school girls.

“I was surprised to hear a lot of young girls talking about sex and kissing boys,” said Ashley. “I would ask them why they were getting involved in this type of behavior and they would say, ‘because I’m bored and have no one to talk too.’ I wanted to improve their attitude.”

To stop the young girls from getting distracted by boys and venturing down the wrong path, Ashley called on a few of her peers for help in mentoring the girls.

“By having positive role models slightly older than themselves, the girls are better able to withstand peer pressure. They can confide in us,” said Ashley. “We work on improving their self-esteem and talk about family and social issues. I try to instill in them how it doesn’t matter what other people say about you. It’s how you feel about yourself.”

Teaching by example, Ashley is involved in a number of community service programs that include being a member of the Child Care Union, Friends of the City of Detroit, Future Teachers for Social Justice and Full & Fabulous. She is currently making plans to join her school’s step team and the NAACP Youth Board.

While Ashley Morgan’s focus is on young girls, she often shares a couple of lessons with her peers.

“Volunteer to do something that interests you,” she said. “Volunteering gives you experience and exposes you to people of different cultures. Interest can turn into jobs. The most important thing that I can teach anyone is to believe that you can achieve, and do your best.”