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 with the selection committee and the winner will be announced at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.

Winkler, who earned dual bachelor’s degrees in art education and fine arts, has been a 6th-12th grade art teacher at Green Middle School and Smithville High School in Wayne County since 2014. She runs the art club and serves as prom advisor there. Previously, she was 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 her 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 boasting in-house glassblowing, flameworking, plastic and ceramic 3D printing, laser engraving, gem faceting and traditional pottery equipment.

For her own artwork, Winkler specializes in steel sculpture and glasswork with her work recently featured in exhibitions at the Akron Art Museum, Mansfield Art Center, Ohio University and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. In 2021, she was one of 17 teachers from across the country selected to complete a residency at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Pinckney, who earned a master’s of education degree in curriculum and instruction from AU, is an 11th and 12th grade English language arts teacher at Twinsburg High School. According to her bio on the State Board of Education’s web page, she "constantly searches for new opportunities to challenge herself professionally and personally. For example, she created a senior-level course on African-American literature, addressing a need for representation sought by both students and community members. She obtained grant funding to support its implementation, and her efforts have enriched educational experiences for all students and staff.

Using literature as the anchor, Pinckney works to encourages students’ engagement in community service and activism projects instilling in them a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement. Her students most recently collaborated with students in Ghana and led a schoolwide project building global community and empathy."

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.

Since its inception in 1964, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program annually identifies exceptional teachers statewide celebrating their effective work in and outside the classroom. The mission of the program is to provide opportunities for professional learning to exemplary teachers as leaders and advocates for public education.