Armstrong grew up in Falls City, graduated from UNL with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Exercise Science in 1997, then went to the Mayo Clinic to get her Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1999. She lives on a farm 5 miles north of Red Cloud with husband Jeff and three children: Brooks- an 11th grader, Elyse- an 8th grader, and Owen- a 2nd grader. They have a dog, house cat, 9 farm cats, 7 farm kittens, four 4H calves. Armstrong works as a contract pediatric physical therapist through Central Nebraska Rehabilitation Inc. for 5 local school districts preschool-21 years of age and in the homes of children ages birth to 3.
What is your favorite thing about Red Cloud?
I appreciate all of the people that have worked so hard to make Red Cloud what it is today. Visionary thinking has played a vital role in this process. I love that it is a small town with unique amenities.
You’ve been involved with the Red Cloud Community Fund since 2014. What attracted you to RCCF and why do you still serve on the board? Is there anything you wish people knew about the work that RCCF does?
I was attracted to being a member of the RCCF due to my interest in bringing more childcare options to our community. When my family and I moved here in 2011 I realized that there was a childcare shortage, and I was determined to help expand the availability of high-quality childcare through a community driven process. I still serve on the board because I truly believe that giving to your hometown is a critical part of being proud of where you live and sustaining a future for our children. My wish is that people understand the importance of giving back in any capacity they feel is meaningful to them, of time, talent and/or treasure. It just can’t be said enough.
I truly believe that giving to your hometown is a critical part of being proud of where you live and sustaining a future for our children.
You’re also very active on the Board of the The Valley Child Development Center. Can you tell our readers a bit more about your work with TVCDC and why it matters so much to you? What do you wish people knew about TVCDC?
I serve as Vice President of the Board of Directors at TVCDC and am on the Edible Schoolyard committee and Outdoor Classroom committee. Raising a child is a holistic process and it is important that children get the most well-rounded experience possible. TVCDC is more than just childcare. It is a high-quality development center for children that is rare in a small community such as Red Cloud. I do believe that children in rural communities are worth getting a high-quality experience in the early years just as much as children living in an urban environment have. Equal access is critical. I wish that people knew that we have a gem in our community and that giving our youngest citizens this experience will pay dividends in the future. Since TVCDC is a non-profit organization, we will continually apply for grants and seek donations for its high-quality sustainability.
Your work as a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Please tell our readers a little bit about your career and what makes it both difficult and rewarding.
Juggling my time driving between 5 school districts and meeting the schedules of over 65 students is the challenge of my career. Working with children and seeing their progress in their mobility is absolutely the most rewarding part of my job. I do enjoy working with families and teachers on assisting children make progress. I love adapting equipment for students that need extra assistance in their mobility. I can’t imagine another career.
TVCDC is more than just childcare. It is a high-quality development center for children that is rare in a small community such as Red Cloud. I do believe that children in rural communities are worth getting a high-quality experience in the early years just as much as children living in an urban environment have. Equal access is critical.
Do you have a favorite TV show and/or podcast?
I enjoy This is Us, Grey’s Anatomy and I listen to physical therapy podcasts.
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to read peoples' minds.
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
I love to travel when I get the chance, golf, and listen to audiobooks when I drive. I do enjoy being a Sunday School teacher.
Do you have any pets?
We have a German Shorthaired Pointer named Becca and a tabby cat named Shelby. Our 4H calves are named Chewbacca, Charlie, Maisy and a red angus calf born a few days ago that is not yet named. All of our 9 farm cats have names, and we have yet to name our 7 newest kittens.
What would your high school teachers or guidance counselor say about you if we asked?
I imagine they would say I was quiet, a good student and a hard worker.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of moving to a small town after living in Kansas City for 10 years and making a dent in this world. I think that knowing that young people can make change happen wherever they are is priceless. I am super proud of my husband for coming back to the family farm and growing it with his brother and his family. I am eternally proud of my three children who make me who I am as well.
Do you have a mantra or mission statement you live by?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better” by Maya Angelou. I believe in lifelong learning and creating a better tomorrow.
What historical figure or celebrity would you most like to have dinner with? Why?
I will say God. So many questions…
While you’re from small town Nebraska originally, you lived in large metropolitan areas prior to moving back in 2011. What convinced you making a move back to rural America was the right choice? Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural America?
Jeff was asked to move back to help his brother expand the family farm. He also could not stand the traffic. I decided I wanted to slow down from the busyness of the big city and raise my children in a small town with big values. I do recommend gaining as much experience as you feel you need in a larger city and then coming back to your roots to grow.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural Nebraska?
Choose Red Cloud!
Working with children and seeing their progress in their mobility is absolutely the most rewarding part of my job.
Are there things you miss about living in a bigger place? If so, how have you overcome it? Do you have any recommendations on what the Red Cloud community could do to welcome newcomers?
I completely miss the shopping, restaurants, parks, activities for families and moving away from my siblings who still reside in Kansas City. I have overcome it by shopping on Amazon and finding unique boutiques, driving around the country, road trips to restaurants and cooking more at home, being closer to Jeff’s family, making trips back to KC to see family, and immersing myself in this little community. Red Cloud could host as many free and fun events as possible to welcome newcomers.
What is your favorite song and/or recording artist?
I like Coldplay.
Who is your favorite writer and/or thinker?
Kristin Hannah
What is your dream vacation?
I would like to go to Hawaii and Ireland someday.
What’s your favorite place to visit in Nebraska?
My hometown has to be high on the list. Lincoln would be second since college was so fun and third would be Lake McConaughey.
I am most proud of moving to a small town after living in Kansas City for 10 years and making a dent in this world. I think that knowing that young people can make change happen wherever they are is priceless. I am super proud of my husband for coming back to the family farm and growing it with his brother and his family. I am eternally proud of my three children who make me who I am as well.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Explain why.
My grandmother Mae Wittwer. She was a farmer’s wife who taught me how to sew I have many wonderful memories of her. My mother, Nancy Wittwer, who taught me the importance of good grammar and to believe in myself.
What would you like to see happen in Red Cloud in the next 5-10 years?
A thriving downtown, improvements to the high school, more available quality housing and a drive-in movie theater.
Credits:
Ashley Armstrong * Jarrod McCartney * Nebraska Community Foundation