Veteran special-needs educator becomes principal of Damar Academy

Dwight Ashley to oversee education and support services for nearly 200 students

INDIANAPOLIS — A long-time educator, Dwight D. Ashley, Sr., has joined Damar Academy as principal, where he will lead the education and support services for nearly 200 students.

Damar Academy offers comprehensive special education for students ages 6 to 22 who face learning delays related to autism, mental retardation and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1994 and accredited by the Indiana Department of Education, the Academy's primary goal is to help students live as independently as possible. The Academy is part of Damar Services, a not-for-profit organization that provides residential and community-based treatment, education and other services to children and adults.

A veteran educator, Ashley has more than 12 years experience in teaching, administration, coaching and working with special needs individuals. Most recently, he was supervisor of education at the Indiana Women's Prison. He’s also worked in Michigan, where he was a Social Studies and Spanish teacher and here he earned a Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. He’s also worked in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, where he was an English teacher, and has been a high school baseball and youth sports coach in Michigan and in Danville, IN, where he now resides.

Ashley has a school administrator certification in educational leadership from Indiana University, a master’s degree of library and information science from Wayne State University in Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Spring Arbor College, also in Michigan.

"It is the life-changing mission of Damar that I desire to commit my career to," said Ashley. "I’m not looking for a career for name recognition but a career with an organization that makes its mission to 'build better futures for children and adults.' Damar’s mission truly matches my heart’s mission."

"We’re pleased to have found someone as experienced as Dwight to take on this role at Damar Academy," said Dr. Jim Dalton, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Damar. "Not only does he have the technical skills, he has a heart for the work we do."