WATERLOO – The Indiana Department of Education and the Milken Family Foundation recently surprised Ashley Johnson, an entrepreneurship teacher at DeKalb High School in Waterloo, with the prestigious Milken Educator Award – a prize of $25,000 from the foundation.
“Part of what makes Ashley Johnson such an impactful educator is how she works to blur the lines between K-12, higher education, and the workforce, and ultimately, better connect students to their path ahead,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “She brings learning to life for students, extending their knowledge and experiences beyond the four walls of the classroom and helping them to see all that is possible for their future.”
The Milken Educator Awards celebrate, elevate, and activate the American teaching profession and inspire young, capable people to join it. The Milken Educator Award is not a lifetime achievement honor. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities earned from the award.
“The business, entrepreneurship, and finance lessons Ashley Johnson imparts to her students are invaluable,” said Dr. Jane Foley, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President. “By infusing real-life experiences and problem-solving into her classroom, she is preparing her students for success far beyond the classroom. She builds skill sets that last a lifetime in any endeavors students choose to pursue. Ashley, the Milken Educator Network will benefit greatly from the unique educational experiences and leadership you bring. Congratulations!”
Johnson draws upon her own entrepreneurial knowledge and experience to ensure the students in her entrepreneurship, accounting, personal finance, and banking classes are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete and excel wherever their life’s path takes them.
By coordinating DeKalb’s work-based learning program, Johnson explores ways to bring the community into her classroom, frequently invites local businesses to discuss challenges, and encourages students to work together to problem-solve and offer solutions. She participates in the local chamber of commerce’s student-led business funding initiatives, organizes relevant class field trips, and hosts a business fair for students to pitch and sell their own products outside of the classroom.
Johnson helps her fellow business educators hone their skills by designing and sharing her own Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum. She participates in professional learning communities, serves on the advisory board for Believe In A Dream Inc.’s student entrepreneurship program, and is a member of the STARTed Up Innovation Educator Fellowship. Additionally, Johnson serves as an advisor for DeKalb High School’s student government association, speech team, and the school’s cafe.
Johnson received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University Fort Wayne in 2010 and her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in management from Indiana Tech – Fort Wayne in 2013.
