Ridgewood educator Wendy Croy honored

Ridgewood Local School District announced Wendy Croy, intervention specialist at Ridgewood Middle School, was named a Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Exemplary Educator.

Croy received the recognition during the annual MVESC Awards Night held March 4 at the Secrest Auditorium in Zanesville. Croy, a 1996 graduate of Ridgewood High School, has dedicated her career to serving students in East Central Ohio. She earned her undergraduate degrees in elementary education and special education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2000 and later completed her master’s degree at Muskingum University in 2003.

She began her teaching career at River View Local Schools, where she taught special education for five years and later fourth grade math and science for seven years at Warsaw Elementary. In 2012 she returned to Ridgewood Local Schools, where she currently serves as an intervention specialist at Ridgewood Middle School.

At Ridgewood Middle School, Croy co-teaches fifth grade English/language arts, teaches ELA within the self-contained classroom, and plays a key role in supporting students through Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plans. She leads implementation of the Phonics First and Structures reading programs and supports progress monitoring for students in fourth grade through sixth grade. Her work reflects a strong understanding of the science of reading and has contributed to measurable growth in literacy achievement among students who need targeted support.

“Wendy Croy is an integral part of the Ridgewood Middle School team and consistently goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our students,” Ridgewood Middle School Principal Shawn Miller said. “Her leadership in organizing and overseeing our Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plans ensures that students receive targeted, data-driven support.”

Superintendent Mike Masloski also praised Croy’s impact on students and families.

“Wendy exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator — selfless, student-centered and unwavering in her commitment to helping every learner succeed,” Masloski said. “Students trust her, families respect her and those relationships create the foundation for real academic growth.”

Croy’s dedication to special education is also personal. As the mother of a child with special needs, she brings a unique perspective and compassion to her work with families. She regularly helps parents connect with community resources such as Special Olympics and services available through the local board of developmental disabilities, where she also serves as a board member. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Croy coaches cross country, track and girls basketball, demonstrating her commitment to supporting students both in and out of the classroom.

She and her husband Matt have been married since 2000 and have three sons: Casey, Cody and Connor.