Proudly serving all 67 Alabama counties!
About Us
Refresh Coaching was started by husband and wife team, Derek and Dr. Ashley Lovett, in 2018 as a service for helping individuals establish a vision for their lives and set practical goals to build towards it. Through the years it has evolved to serve various clients, including university students, business owners, and retirees.
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In 2026 the couple decided to channel the focus of the business to their passion --the youth. Both educators, Derek & Ashley are passionate about empowering the youth through helping them become more motivated and independent in their learning and personal growth. Today they equip schools to support students through time management training tailored toward career preparation, academic performance, and mental wellness.
Consider This
As adults, most of the "good" habits we have now were derived from learned behaviors. If we're honest with ourselves, we're extremely fortunate to have avoided some of the potential consequences of our "bad" decisions during our learning process. Unfortunately, adolescents are constantly faced with choices that can wreck their lives if they don't come out on the right side of them.
At Refresh Coaching we have a mission to help adolescents mitigate avoidable failures by being more proactive about planning for success. Therefore, through a structured, relevant, and engaging approach we help students "take back their time" and, in return, empower them to build the self-awareness, critical-thinking, and intrinsic motivation that lead to sound decision-making in the classroom and beyond.
Derek J. Lovett, M.Ed.
Derek J. Lovett, M.Ed. is an educator, author, and student-success strategist with a diverse professional background that encompasses eight years in the engineering field and approximately seven years serving diverse middle and high school populations. He is the author of 80 Questions for Adolescents, a reflective learning tool designed to support culturally responsive teaching by helping students explore identity, purpose, motivation, and academic ownership.
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With a background in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (STEAM emphasis), Derek bridges analytical problem-solving with student-centered pedagogy. He has served as a secondary math and science teacher, high school science department head, and academic coach, primarily in Title I school settings.
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Through his organizations—Put Student Motivation First, The Emcee Life, and Refresh Coaching—Derek partners with schools and districts to implement practical frameworks for student engagement, SEL integration, goal-setting, and classroom culture development. His work equips educators with classroom-ready strategies that elevate student voice, strengthen relationships, and improve learning outcomes.
Ashley Lovett, Ph.D.
Ashley Lovett, Ph.D. is an educator, educational leader, and equity-focused researcher with experience supporting K–12 schools through instructional leadership, professional learning, and culturally responsive practices. She currently serves in a statewide education role, working to strengthen school systems and leadership capacity in diverse educational contexts.
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Dr. Lovett earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law, with research centered on K–12 administrators’ perceptions of culturally responsive teaching and leadership practices that support student achievement. Her scholarship is grounded in the Culturally Responsive School Leadership framework and examines how professional development, leadership learning, and school context influence equity-driven practices in schools.
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With a professional background that includes classroom teaching, instructional support, and state-level education work, Dr. Lovett brings a practitioner’s lens to leadership and research. Her work focuses on bridging theory and practice to support principals, educators, and systems in creating inclusive, responsive, and academically affirming learning environments for all students.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Steve Roberts,
Cooperative Education Coordinator
My students really loved Derek's presentations on real-world topics. His desire to motivate students to be their best is evident and his high energy garners everyone's attention. He is a great role model for students desiring technical and business-related careers.
Brittany Naugher,
Montgomery, AL
This class was an absolute blessing, very informative and a great success! A great tool on how to change specific behaviors -time management. It allows you to create a rhythm in both your personal and work life. In just that little time I've created a better vision for my future/goals. Great Job, Derek & Ashley Lovett!
Bryan Barnett, Ed.D
Nashville, TN
I know Derek to be an amazingly gifted speaker, actor, and comedian. He is very passionate and charismatic about his art and skill set. I know Derek to be a very loving and caring husband and father to his family. Whatever is attached to him wins.