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02/22/2017 07:30 AMAllison McMahon lived in several places growing up, spending much of her time through high school in Minnesota. When she went to college at University of Wisconsin, her original plan was to study business or math. During the summers when she returned home, Allison worked at a daycare.
“My parents said, ‘You are so happy when you get home from work’ and asked if I had thought about teaching,” says Allison. “It was in the back of my head, but there would’ve been an extra semester with switching majors, but my parents encouraged me. As soon as I got into a classroom and started hanging out with kids, I knew immediately.”
Allison earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, which certified her to teach kindergarten through 9th grade. She did her student teaching in a 1st- and 2nd-grade combination classroom, also spending some time with 4th graders.
When Allison moved to Chicago, she spent half a year serving as a substitute teacher and found she enjoyed working with students in the upper grades of elementary school. She also began coaching a girls’ middle school basketball team.
“I really found that connection with the older kids,” says Allison. “When I started coaching, I realized they got my sarcasm and humor. I moved to teaching middle school and that was where my heart was.”
Allison spent 23 years working for Chicago Public Schools, eventually becoming an administrator. She helped open a K to 8 school nine years ago and spent six years as the assistant principal.
Eventually, though, Allison made the move to the East Coast. In 2014, Allison moved to Clinton to be closer to her youngest sister and her husband and their two children.
“I wanted a change,” says Allison. “I wanted to be closer to family, to go from the big city to a small town, and get back into the classroom.”
Allison found that moving was an adjustment on several levels. She enjoyed her newfound space—moving to the suburbs allowed her to have a house instead of a condo and she was able to get a dog. While she is happy to return to teaching, the setup of Connecticut schools was an adjustment—Chicago Public Schools has 500 schools in one district.
“There’s a comparable number of schools in Chicago as in the State of Connecticut,” says Allison. “The concept of each town having its own district was an adjustment.”
Allison taught in Windham for a year before being hired by North Haven High School as a reading specialist. She works with a group of students, focusing on literacy and comprehension. She also works with students learning English and co-teaches a class with a special education teacher.
“It makes the day really exciting and fun to have a mix of everything. It’s different every day,” says Allison. “My favorite thing to do is talk books with kids. As a teacher, when you have that moment when the light bulb goes on, there is nothing better. I enjoy getting the kids to dive deeper for a better understanding of what’s happening. I’ll have read a book a few times and they’ll give me a new perspective. I’m constantly learning with them.”
Working with high school students has been a change for Allison, but she is enjoying it. She also is still able to work with middle school students as the coach of the North Haven Middle School girls’ basketball team, which recently capped an undefeated season.
“What I love about coaching is that you develop a different relationship with the kids. I still keep in contact with some of the kids I used to coach who are now in their 20s and 30s, the same with students,” says Allison. “The strategy and skills involved in basketball make it a great sport. I love the intensity of the game, coaching during the game, and seeing how everything you worked on falls together.”
Allison coached for 16 years while she taught in Chicago, drawing on her experience playing through high school. She also played intramural basketball in college. In addition to enjoying playing basketball, Allison is an avid sports fan, supporting the Wisconsin Badgers, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Blackhawks.
After the team’s undefeated season, Allison is looking forward to returning to the team next year, though it will be a new group of athletes. Allison is also looking forward to seeing some of her players more often as they move up to the high school.
“It was a magical season and we’ll have a great group coming back next year,” says Allison, who enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, walking her dog, and outdoor activities. “Half of the team is coming up to the high school. They’ll be happy to have a familiar face here and it’ll be fun for them and for me.”
For Allison, the best part of her job, whether it’s in administration, teaching, or coaching, is working with the kids and the diversity of her day. She also enjoys working closely with her colleagues.
“I love being around the kids, they make me laugh and no two days are ever the same,” says Allison. “At North Haven High School, we have an incredible group of interventionists and we’ve formed our own little department. The number of kids we’re servicing and helping navigate the perils of high school and its ups and downs is really working well here.”