(WATERLOO) – A Northeast Indiana teacher recently received a special surprise.

Ashley Johnson, an Entrepreneurship teacher at DeKalb High School, was recently presented with the Milken Educator Award by the Indiana Department of Education and the Milken Family Foundation. Johnson also receives a $25,000 prize from the Foundation.

Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, says part of what makes 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.

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 knowledge and skills necessary to compete and excel wherever their life’s path takes them. Through her coordination of DeKalb’s work-based learning program, Johnson explores ways to bring the community into her classroom and 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.