I was looking to get a Master’s Degree in history, not education. I did not want to study pedagogy, but instead gain a more complete understanding of America and our government. I was unsure as to which path I should follow since I could not find a program that fit my time requirements and needs. | In 2006, I took a chance and drove out to Ashland for a summer course. I fell in love with the town and the faculty of the Ashbrook Institute, and, although it took some time, I completed the program in 2017 with an unbelievable wealth of riches. | For starters, the people of the Ashbrook Institute and the scholars and professors from around the country provided an incredible opportunity to grow as a teacher. The classes were challenging, and the program was intense. The classes did not force ideology; instead, they fostered discussion and ideas from all ends of the political spectrum. | I was able to meet colleagues from across the country and share in this experience. The connection of teachers from across the United States was vital to the discussions. It not only gave me a perspective of how people lived in all corners of the U.S., it also connected me to great people I now consider lifelong friends and colleagues. | I am proud to say I am an Ashland alumnus, and I cannot give the school enough credit. I just know that I am forever changed as a person, a student of history and an educator after spending a few summers at Ashland University.
