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 district winners, four will be selected as finalists for the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year by a selection committee. Each finalist will then present a mock keynote and interview with a panel of education stakeholders to determine the selection of the state-level award.
Winkler has been a high school and middle school art teacher at Green Local Schools in Smithville since 2014. She runs the art club there and previously served on the school’s Building Leadership Team and District Leadership Team. During the summer, she teaches at Ashland University’s art camp.
Winkler’s goal is to bring the best out of students by introducing them to new art media and technology. Through numerous fundraisers and grants, she has transformed what was a traditional art room into one of the few public school programs that boasts in-house glassblowing, flameworking, plastic and ceramic 3D printing, laser engraving, gem faceting and traditional pottery equipment.
Pinckney is an 11th and 12th grade English language arts teacher at Twinsburg City School District. Always seeking new opportunities to challenge herself and to enrich students’ educational experiences, she obtained grant funding to develop and implement a senior-level course on African-American Literature, addressing a need for representation sought by both students and the Twinsburg community. Using literature as the anchor, she works with students to encourage them to engage in community service projects, thus instilling in them a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement.
Pinckney’s dedication has led to a number of recognitions, including Master Teacher Finalist by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, 2023 Twinsburg City Schools Teacher of the Year and a 2023 Fund for Teachers Fellow.
Schaeffer teaches middle school art at Hilliard City Schools’ Innovative Learning Hub in Hilliard. Passionate about using art to create better thinkers, knowers and doers, she has taught students how to use art and advocacy to feel connected and empowered in their community for 16 years.
A national leader in the fields of arts education, community development and entrepreneurship, Schaeffer is at the forefront of connecting professionals, student artists and creatives to their communities in new ways that truly raise the value of art and better the world. Her previous honors include the Presidential Award for Innovative Environmental Educators, a Fund for Teachers Fellow through the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and the State Director of the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.
To be a nominee for Ohio Teacher of the Year, one must hold a professional teaching license, have at least 10 years of classroom experience, currently work in a state-approved public school with at least 50% student contact and plan to continue teaching. Candidates are respected experts who collaborate, foster community, demonstrate leadership and communicate effectively.
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.