Alison is doing her legacy work at Queens University in Charlotte, as she oversees the SELA program to develop public school leaders. Alison began her career in 1981 as a special education teacher in Wake County schools. She then served in principal roles from 1999-2010, most recently serving as a turnaround principal at Druid Hills Academy in CMS.
What statistic have you recently heard that surprised you?
Enrollment in teaching majors are down 27% across the nation. We are about to experience a severe teacher shortage.
What is the greatest challenge our educators face?
Making sure every student makes a year or more worth of growth
When and where were you learning at your best?
My first years of teaching as I was working toward mastering my craft
Which skill would you most like to master?
Coaching people to be able to reach their desired goals
What do you consider your organization's greatest achievement?
Providing an intimate learning atmosphere where students are challenged and learn through relevant experiential activities and experiences
What quality do you most admire in a school leader?
Integrity
If you could change one thing about public education, what would it be?
I would work to make the teaching career the most highly regarded and revered profession that attracts the best and the brightest to lead our next generations
What is your favorite children's storybook character?
Skippy Jon Jones "My Ears are too big for my head, and my head is too big for my body"
What is your current state of mind?
I feel so blessed, energized, and fortunate to be in the position of developing and impacting school leaders