Vienna selects Lenore Ashby to serve as special education instructor

The Vienna board of education and administration has selected Lenore Ashby to serve as a special education instructor at the high school.

Ashby is a native of Southern Illinois and a graduate of Massac County. She continued her education at Shawnee Community College with the completion of her associate’s degree, went on to finish her bachelor’s degree of science in special education at Southern Illinois University, and holds her LBS1 as an Illinois certified teacher. She is also considering pursuing an Eds degree to expand her knowledge of the key concepts.

Ashby brings a great deal of teaching experience, along with a wide content area knowledge base with specific understanding related to math and science support.

She has served locally at Unity Point, Century, and Tri-County Special Education.

In addition to her teaching experiences, she has a career background that includes implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) and RTI (Response to Intervention) programs along with various supplemental initiatives for student success such as Catch Up Cafe. She has also served as a coach for Special Olympics.

One of Ashby’s personal teaching goals is for “people to know my students, not their disability.”

She explains that “people are not their label, but are instead what they put forth in the effort, determination, and hard work.”

Superintendent Joshua W. Stafford said, “Mrs. Ashby will be a great addition to the Vienna team and brings abundant knowledge and experience that will enhance opportunities for not just our students with special needs, but the entire school. Her personality and demeanor are pleasant and she will be a capacity builder for our district. At Vienna, we believe that all students are capable of reaching their maximum potential and enjoying productive lives with the abilities that they have been given. Mrs. Ashby will be expanding this vision in a positive way for our community.”

Ashby is looking forward to starting at Vienna in the next week.