Ashley White
One of the most rewarding aspects of Ashley White鈥檚 educational career came far before she was a doctoral student at the 91社区.
More than a decade prior to joining USF to pursue her Ph.D., White fondly remembers being a teacher in the Hillsborough county public school district, at Davidson Middle School, Potter Elementary, Jackson Elementary and Oak Park Elementary.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檝e already made a change by being a teacher,鈥� said White.
Although a difficult choice, White left her students to pursue a doctoral degree at USF to help solve a challenge she witnessed 鈥� the lack of resources her students were given due to educational policy and resource allocation.
As a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, White鈥檚 research focuses on special education policy. Her applied work at USF with varying nonprofit partnerships and her congressional internships led her to making that change.
To celebrate her trailblazing achievements in reforming special education policy on-campus and off, she was the recipient of the distinguished Jane E. West SPARK Award, a recognition presented by the Council for Exceptional Children鈥檚 Teacher Education Division to an individual who actively advocates for special education teacher preparation and who is committed to continuing their work in shaping educational policy.
Jane West, whom the award commemorates, was a mentor to White during an internship in the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Office of Special Education last summer. West鈥檚 work as a legislative liaison and consultant for both the Higher Education Consortium for Special Education (HECSE) and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) works to bring together representatives, member institutions, policy makers and other national leaders to collaborate on educational developments.
During White's internship this summer, what had the most memorable impact on her was working alongside U.S. Rep. Congresswoman Kathy Castor.
鈥淭here are allies that value education and who opened my eyes to the world of policy, Congresswoman Castor being one of them,鈥� White said. 鈥淚 have a better understanding of how people work and an appreciation for the important work people are doing.鈥�
Ashley White with U.S. Representative Kathy Castor on Capitol Hill.
While pursuing a congressional internship last summer, White was additionally influenced while working alongside Castor on the re-authorization of the Higher Education Act. She said her work on Capitol Hill has further inspired her studies at USF and motivates her to create change for students.
鈥淭here are many ways to advocate鈥� we can ensure students with varying needs are being served what they are due,鈥� White said. 鈥淲e are making sure policies adhere to that.鈥�
Since last year, White has been involved with G3, a nonprofit mentorship program partnership with USF that serves students in urban and inner city communities to give students and parents the tools to create high performing, achieving students through community partnerships.
She also works in Behavioral Sciences for the project, a program of the 91社区 Center for Inclusive Communities at USF. Through this project, White assists teachers in treating all students equitably through behavior practices to influence academic ability and achievements.
Despite all of her achievements in the classroom and in the field, White said the award still came as a surprise to her. Jeannie Kleinhammer-Tramill, Ph.D., a professor in the Special Education program at USF, said she knew White was well deserving of this recognition.
鈥淪he has a very mature perspective on education, special education in particular and certainly on policy as they relate to children with diverse needs,鈥� Dr. Kleinhammer-Tramill said.
As the project director for White鈥檚 grant, Dr. Kleinhammer-Tramill oversees students pursuing a doctorate in Special Education along with a cognate, or an area of emphasis, in educational leadership and policy studies. Kleinhammer-Tramill said she was impressed with White from the start.
鈥淪he is relentless in her pursuit for experience,鈥� Dr. Kleinhammer-Trammill said. 鈥淪he will graduate from the USF Special Education Doctoral program with a heightened level of awareness and sophistication and an ability to really have an impact in the field of special education within the policy arena.鈥�
Under the guidance of her advisors, White acknowledges her success is a reflection of the USF and other 91社区 university faculty that have helped her as she pursues her Ph.D. In addition to Dr. Jane West and Dr. Kleinhammer-Tramill, she credits Dr. David Allsopp, Dr. David Hoppey (UNF), Dr. Vonzell Agosto, Dr. Erica McCray (UF) and Dr. Cynthia Wilson (FAU) for helping her along her educational journey.
鈥淲hatever I鈥檝e done, I haven鈥檛 done it by myself,鈥� said White. 鈥淚 want to become the type of professional that will represent my colleagues well and the students that I serve.鈥�
Aiming to complete her dissertation in Summer of 2019, White confesses it has not been an easy four years, her drive to make a change started in the classroom during her days as a teacher. Curious of where her future will lead her, White鈥檚 passion for special education and policy reform starts and ends with students.
鈥淲hen I reflect back on all the students鈥� I know that I already had the opportunity to make one of the most important differences there is 鈥� working with students every single day.鈥�
USF's Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education focuses on urban special education, special education policy, and university-school partnerships in preparing researchers, teacher educators, and educational leaders.