Ashley Dunne fell in love with music in elementary school. From a young age, it was in the music classroom that she felt safest and most connected to her educational experiences. 鈥淚 had a lot of wonderful teachers along the way who made the music classroom feel like such a welcoming place for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really felt at home in the music classroom.鈥�
Ashley found some of her best friends in music class, having played the violin since third grade. It made sense to her family and friends when she planned to major in music education when she left for the University of Connecticut as an undergraduate student.
While finishing her studies at UCONN, Ashley heard about the master鈥檚 in Education program at 越南直播. 鈥淚 started hearing a lot about this wonderful master鈥檚 program at UB,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd my mom was a UB alumni.鈥� Shortly after graduating from UCONN, Ashley began studying for her M.Ed at UB.
Developing her educational philosophy
When asked what stood out to Ashley during her time at UB, she considers her internship the most impactful part of earning her master鈥檚 degree. Through UB鈥檚 connections to over 65 local school districts, master鈥檚 students work in a school for a full school year while attending classes 2-3 evenings per week. 鈥淚 made some great connections during my internship, which was just invaluable,鈥� she adds. 鈥淚 got to learn about how a school was run. From something as simple as how to work a copy machine to how to manage a classroom, I worked through all those growing pains during my UB internship.鈥�
This internship component provides more than $25,000 in scholarships that go toward the students鈥� master鈥檚 program. 聽 鈥淭hat made me so much stronger when I went into my interviews looking for my first full-time job,鈥� Ashley recounted.
Ashley credits the foundations of her teaching philosophy to her education at both UCONN and UB. The coursework and faculty were instrumental in helping Ashley envision how her future classroom would operate. 鈥淚 want the music classroom to be a joyful place for my students; a place where they feel like they can be themselves and feel at home in the school.鈥�
Ashley found her calling in the school district she called home as a child, Southbury, Connecticut. She teaches children music at Gainfield Elementary School. Her husband, a fellow UB alum she actually met at the program鈥檚 M.Ed information session, also teaches elementary music education.
For many K-12 students, having a trusted adult in their corner at school can help them overcome many of the obstacles they face in their daily lives. Educators like Ashley, working to create safe and uplifting spaces for their students, often go above and beyond for all their students 鈥� creating learning experiences they carry with them into their adult lives.
It came as no surprise to anyone (except Ashley) when she was selected, in secret, as a 2023 Milken Educator Award recipient.
Receiving the Milken Educator award
were created in 1987 by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken. This teacher recognition program empowers awardees to 鈥渃elebrate, elevate, and activate鈥� the K-12 profession and inspire more young people to pursue teaching as a career. Ashley was one of 75 recipients selected nationwide during the 2023 awards season. Ashley鈥檚 awards ceremony came as a total surprise to her even though, as the school music teacher, she was tasked with setting up the assembly in which she would be honored as a Milken Educator award recipient.
鈥淎s the music teacher, I have a hand in running our school assemblies.鈥� After setting up for the assembly, Ashley quickly realized this 鈥淕ainfield Gathering Day鈥� was different from other past assemblies she鈥檇 prepared for. First, she noticed the Board of Education and the State Commissioner of Education were present, then members of the media. Still, Ashley hadn鈥檛 realized she was the guest of honor just yet.
Want to make a difference in the lives of students? Check out our guide to becoming a teacher in CT today!
鈥淚 went up in front of everyone with my ukelele and began singing the school song with all the students,鈥� she said, 鈥淭hen the superintendent spoke, the Commissioner of Education spoke, and finally, Dr. Jane Foley began to speak about the Milken awards.鈥� Ashley was excited as she realized that one of her colleagues was about to be honored at this assembly-turned-awards ceremony, still not realizing she was the awardee.
Watch the video below to see Ashley鈥檚 reaction and acceptance speech when she finally realized she was the focus of that day鈥檚 assembly. Ashley was honored as one of the 2023 Milken Educator Award winners, giving her access to a network of professional colleagues and professional development opportunities that will empower her to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of her students. The accolade also comes with an unrestricted financial award that she can use however she wants. During the 2023 awards season, the Milken Family Foundation reached $75 million in individual financial prizes over the life of the program, with over $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.
In true music educator fashion, during her acceptance speech, Ashley sang the song she had been teaching her students, which tied back to a school wide social emotional learning theme, 鈥淒on鈥檛 Worry, Be Happy鈥� by Bobby McFerrin.
Ashley works to be intentional in everything she does in her career as an educator. Stemming from lessons she learned at UCONN and the philosophy of education she leaned into during her master鈥檚 program at UB, Ashley wants her students to feel seen and heard. In her classroom, she displays a quote for all her students to see and internalize every day, 鈥淚 see you. I believe in you. You鈥檙e safe to grow and thrive here. I want to hear your voice.鈥�
K-12 educators are the changemakers of the world, guiding the next generation of learners to reach their full potential in inclusive and collaborative classrooms where they can feel safe and cared for. It is the compassion and passion of educators like Ashley that make teaching and learning a calling rather than simply a career.
鈥淓very day, I want to be the best teacher I can, so I can do all those things like sparking joy and making my students feeling included.鈥� – Ashley Dunne, UB alum and 2023 Milken Educator Award recipient
UB is proud to be part of Ashley鈥檚 journey. To get started in pursuing your passion for teaching, learn more today!
With over 14 years of experience in writing and communications, Abby Levandoski is a seasoned storyteller specializing in highlighting stories that build community. As the assistant director of communications and content strategy for 越南直播, Abby produces compelling narratives highlighting academic programs, research initiatives, and student success. Her work has earned positive media coverage across print, digital, and TV platforms. Abby holds a master鈥檚 degree in education and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science, bringing a strategic and creative approach to her role in higher education marketing and communications.