Ashlee Ratigan

Dr. Ashlee Ratigan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education (K-12 certification) from Columbia College. She earned a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Winthrop University and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership from North Greenville University. Dr. Ratigan is currently awaiting her results for National Board Certification. She serves a teacher mentor for Spartanburg District 2 and is part of their leadership cultivation program, D2 Leads. 

With extensive training under esteemed educators along the East Coast, Dr. Ratigan has performed in prestigious events, including the Miss South Carolina Pageant and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Additionally, she served as a dancer, swing, and maintenance choreographer for the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida performing in shows and parades, such as the Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom and working with show directors to maintain show integrity at Magic Kingdom. Her choreography has been featured at various venues across South Carolina in the South Carolina Dance Association’s Kaleidoscope, College of Charleston Annual Dance Showcase, and The American College Dance Festival to name a few. 

In recognition of her contributions to dance education, Dr. Ratigan was named the South Carolina Dance Association’s Dance Teacher of the Year in 2014 and received the Teacher of the Year award from Hendrix Elementary IB World School for the 2019-2020 academic year. She is also the recipient of the Honor Award, the highest award from the South Carolina Dance Association for her work in dance throughout South Carolina. Her students have achieved notable success, earning scholarships and accolades at both regional and national levels, with many now performing with companies such as Walt Disney World, Cirque du Soleil, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She also founded the first competitive elementary dance team in South Carolina. Dr. Ratigan serves as the Arts in Basic Curriculum lead and grant manager for her school, providing opportunities and professional development for staff creating learning in and through the arts. This past summer she served as the Dance Lead Teacher for the South Carolina Department of Educations Arts Integration Leadership Institute. 

Dr. Ratigan’s international experience includes teaching and studying dance in Japan, Ireland, and Nicaragua. These experiences created educational partnerships and opportunities that she was able to share with her students and community. She actively contributes to the field as a member of the board of directors for the South Carolina Dance Association and Palmetto State Arts Education. As part of the boards, she works to advocated for arts integration and is currently working on the ad-hoc committee to create a performance assessment for dance. Dr. Ratigan has also served on the SCAHPERD Board as President, and on the Advocacy and Public Relations Committees. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization and during the summer serves as an adjunct teacher for the South Carolina Governor’s School Summer Dance Immersion Program.