Ashley Linz honored with Making a Difference Award
Ashley Linz, the district’s autism specialist, was recognized as the USD 232 Making a Difference Award winner for September 2024. Kevin Jeffries, the Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation was joined by Superintendent Cory Gibson and members of the foundation’s board to present this award on behalf of the school district and the USD 232 Education Foundation on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Belmont Elementary.
The Making a Difference Award, sponsored by Great American Bank in De Soto, celebrates the exceptional teachers and staff in our district who are truly “making a difference in the lives of young people.” With this recognition, Ashley was also presented check for $250 from the USD 232 Education Foundation and a Making a Difference Award trophy, designed and constructed by CAPS students at the Cedar Trails Exploration Center.
Here is an excerpt from her nomination by a fellow team member:
Ashley Linz and service dog, Lulu
Ashley is an outstanding leader that stepped in immediately this school year to help us prepare, guide and train our team at Riverview from BEFORE DAY ONE! Her expertise, knowledge, strategies, programming, implementation, and coaching are TOP NOTCH! Ashley dove in hands on to figure out programming while providing resources and supports for our team to continue individualized programming. We have a couple of students that are BEYOND EXCELLING because of Ashley’s expertise, willingness, leadership, and guidance!
Ashley Linz joined USD 232 in 2012 as a Special Education Teacher at Monticello Trails Middle School. In 2021, she filled the role of Autism Specialist which serves the entire district. Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Leisure, Youth and Human Service with a focus in Programming and Youth Services in May 2009 from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master of Arts in Teaching and Special Education with a focus in Secondary Adaptive in May 2012 from Pittsburg State University.
Congrats to Ashley for this outstanding recognition!
The USD 232 Education Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the Making a Difference Award for the month of October. All submissions are due Thursday, October 31, 2024. Nominations for this award or ANY USD 232 Staff member are accepted and reviewed each month.