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Woman with two AU master's degrees finalist for Woman of the Year award
When it comes to the education she has received in her life, Beth DiDonato said she feels extremely fortunate. “I believe it more than prepared me for what I have accomplished,” said DiDonato, whose education includes two master’s degrees from Ashland University. DiDonato’s most recent accomplishment was being selected as a finalist for the 2024 Lucille Nussdorfer Tuscarawas County Woman of the Year award, presented annually by the Dennison Railroad Depot…
AU master's degree not only helps graduate with teaching career, but also as council member and now as mayor
Mason Boldizar earned his master’s degree in administration in 2007 from Ashland University to help his teaching career, but it has benefited him in many other ways, too. It also has served him well as a Minerva council member since 2018 and he expects that to continue as the village’s mayor, which the council named him recently following the September death of Mayor Tim Tarbet. “Learning how to deal with people in respectful ways is always something that we…
New superintendent at Windham earned master's degree at Ashland University
Michael Dobran appreciated that Ashland University’s Master of Educational Administration program wasn’t filled with busy work like some graduate programs. “I was working full time and coaching, and long assignments and busy work would have not made me a better educator,” said Dobran, who earned his master’s degree from AU in 2003 a few years into his education career. That and learning from professors, many of whom were former principals and superintendents…
Daneé Pinckney, 2019 M.Ed. alumna, selected as 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year
ASHLAND, Ohio – Daneé Pinckney, an educator in the Twinsburg City School District who earned a master’s of education degree in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University in 2019, was named the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the State Board of Education of Ohio. As the statewide winner, Pinckney will be recognized and have the opportunity to share her message at many events, such as the Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference, throughout…
Two AU alumnae among four finalists for Ohio Teacher of the Year
ASHLAND, Ohio – The State Board of Education of Ohio has named its four finalists for the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year and two—Jennifer Winkler ’12 and Daneé Pinckney ’19 M.Ed.—are Ashland University alumnae. From a cohort of 11 district winners, the Ohio Teacher of the Year selection committee selected Winkler of Green Local Schools, Pinckney of Twinsburg City Schools and the other two finalists based on written applications. The finalists will interview…
Three of Ohio’s 11 State Board of Education District Teachers of the Year have AU ties
ASHLAND, Ohio – Three of Ohio’s 11 State Board of Education District Teachers of the Year hold degrees from Ashland University. This year’s outstanding cohort was announced July 17 by the State Board of Education. The State Board District Teachers of the Year with AU ties are Jennifer Winkler ‘12, who earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and art education, and Daneé Pinckney and Amanda Schaeffer, each of whom earned a master’s in education. From the…
AU master's degree graduate named superintendent of Wilmington City Schools
Tim Dettwiller had never considered earning a school administrator license until administrators at Madison-Plains Local Schools in London, Ohio, suggested it. “I was the school treasurer and helped them on their facility improvement process, and they liked what I did so much that they asked me to get my superintendent’s license,” said Dettwiller, who eventually became the school district’s superintendent for four years, followed by four years as…
AU's School Superintendent Licensure program helps lead to CEO job at iSTEM School
On the advice of one of his mentors, Allen Wilson decided to earn a school superintendent license from Ashland University. “He pointed out that with the license I would be open to more administrative opportunities not just as a superintendent,” Wilson said about that mentor, former superintendent of Tri-County Educational Service Center, Eugene Linton. One of those opportunities is his most recent position at RG Drage Career Center in Canton as tech…
College of Education has fully implemented science of reading into curriculum
ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University has fully implemented science of reading standards— research-based literacy instruction—in its Dwight Schar College of Education curriculum to align with the expectations of state lawmakers as well as the many school districts it works with. Lisa Vernon-Dotson, Ph.D. (pictured third from left), dean of the Dwight Schar College of Education, has headed the effort to update the content in AU’s education courses and was among a…
With help of AU master's degree, Brenner named Orrville High School principal
While the classes were helpful with the basics of educational administration, Andrew Brenner appreciated that Ashland University’s Master’s in Education program went beyond textbooks. “It was the interactions with my classmates and people in the field who came to speak to us that provided the ‘practical’ information that I have been able to incorporate into my positions,” Brenner said. His latest position is high school principal for Orrville City Schools,…
