Matthew B. Schoonover Educational Center at Prevention Action Alliance Advisory Council
The members of the Matthew B. Schoonover Educational Center Advisory Council provide advice, expertise, and guidance on the educational offerings of the Matthew B. Schoonover Educational Center at Prevention Action Alliance.
Meet the Members:
Teri Peasley, Ed.D.
Dr. Teri Peasley (she/her) is an early childhood educator, trainer, and consultant with over 30 years of experience. Currently, an assistant professor and program coordinator for the Early Childhood and Elementary Education program at Ohio University’s Zanesville campus, she supervises student teachers and teaches courses in curricula development, family dynamics, and trauma-informed education.
Dr. Peasley previously worked as a pre-school teacher, childcare center administrator, and regional manager for a national childcare company. Most recently, she served as the director of the Professional Development Center for Early Learning at Pathways of Central Ohio where she developed and facilitated education-based professional development trainings across Ohio.
Dr. Peasley graduated with a BS in Individual and Family Studies from Kent State University and has a Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. She completed her terminal degree (also at Walden) where her research focused on the training experiences of pre-service childcare teachers.
Ashley See, CHES, CPST
Ashley See (she/her) is the Director of Health Promotion at the Licking County Health Department in Newark, Ohio. She has served in this role since January 2019 but has been with the department since 2006 in various positions. Ashley, under general direction from the Health Commissioner, coordinates the Child Passenger Safety Program and supervises all staff responsible for assessing, implementation, and evaluating prevention or promotion activities.
Ashley has 14 years of public health experience, including time serving on many community coalitions. She is a member of the Ohio Society of Public Health Educations (OSOPHE) and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Promotion and Fitness from Otterbein University, where she also doubled minored in Health Education and Sports Management. Ashley is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).
Originally from Licking County, she currently resides in Johnstown, Ohio with her husband, Dave, and two children, Allison, and Emily. Ashley’s favorite thing to do during her time off is spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys doing any type of physical activity, whether it be a sport, running, or just spending time outdoors with her family.
Beth Thomas, LSW, OCPC
Beth (she/her) loves the energy of working with people to positively impact their communities. She currently serves as the director of community education and engagement at the Fulton County Health Department where she has the pleasure of leading HC3, a county-wide community coalition, as well as a youth-led prevention initiative, YAC, which has grown to more than 40 youth participants and is currently piloting a school-based initiative for middle school-aged males.
Through statewide initiatives, Beth serves as the chair of the SPCA (Statewide Prevention Coalition Association) Advisory Council and is the co-coordinator for the Northwest Ohio Network of the Ohio Adult Allies, a statewide initiative that is working to promote sound prevention science within the field of youth-led programming.
Beth earned her Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University and her BSW from Bowling Green State University. She is a licensed social worker and holds an OCPC credential through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
Beth and her husband, Kevin, are the parents of three “grown and flown” young adults and she is thrilled to have added “Nana” to her resume recently.
Karen Vadino, LPCC, OCPC
Karen (she/her) is a nationally recognized, motivational speaker, trainer, consultant, and humorist. In her 30-plus years as a human service professional, Karen has spent most of her time working with children and families as a clinician and preventionist in the field of substance misuse and mental health. Additionally, Karen also has served as part-time faculty at Youngstown State University, Penn State University and Westminster College teaching courses in social work, sociology, juvenile justice, and human development.
Karen draws from her extensive and varied experience to form the foundation of her unique and distinctively humorous approach to life and work. For the past twenty years, she has been sharing her inimitable insights with thousands of people–adults and youth and has been described as “one of those rare people who can make you laugh and cry at the same time”.
Regardless of the topic, Karen’s workshops and presentations are humorous in nature, reflecting her own insightful approach to dealing with life’s daily challenges. She is well known for her “Vadinoan Theories,” including her exhortation to “release your dolphins” and her firm belief that we should never wait until we are entirely happy before we laugh.
Karen is working on finishing a book or two, including a compilation of her original workshop materials and activities.
Katrina Wyche, Ed.D., OCPC
Dr. Katrina Wyche (she/her) is an independent trainer, consultant, and life coach with over 20 years’ experience in organizational development, training, and project management. She currently serves as the regional division director for SheRays and Associates, a boutique consulting firm specializing in evidence-based prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for non-profit, governmental, and faith-based organizations.
Dr. Wyche has held adjunct faculty positions at Xavier University, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and Sinclair Community College.
She is a former Board Director for the Ohio Prevention Professionals Association, an internationally certified prevention specialist, and a certified prevention consultant in Ohio. A proud resident of Cincinnati, Dr. Wyche is a three-time graduate of Xavier University (BA, M.Ed., Ed.D.).