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"I chose to spend my time learning [F]rench with you and it was definitely the right decision! I loved it and [I] can never forget it."
Former tutee
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"We are very happy about the program [Allison has] created at MCS and installed love for language learning."
Former elementary parent |
Allison strives to create an environment in her classroom where her students feel comfortable expressing themselves in French. She encourages them to circumlocute and use what they already know in order to problem solve and communicate their thoughts. Establishing a safe space where students communicate freely and naturally and are willing and motivated to take risks is core to her practice. She strives to have her students’ output not to be forced but organic, coming directly from them. She seeks out and creates activities that are compelling - that are engaging and keep students engaged.
Allison loves sharing what she knows and working with other teachers. You can see a list of conferences and workshops at which she has taught and presented here.
Allison loves sharing what she knows and working with other teachers. You can see a list of conferences and workshops at which she has taught and presented here.
Allison has been teaching in the Upper Valley for over twenty years. Prior to coming to Hartford High School, she had been teaching at the Marion Cross School in Norwich, VT beginning in 2003. She is excited to make the switch to the high school after spending so long with younger students. She hopes to continue to grow the HHS French program and increase enrollment.
When Allison first started at MCS, students began studying French in fourth grade. In 2010, talks about expanding the program began. After a lot of research, time, and community input, the program expanded all the way down to kindergarten in 2014. Allison relishes in having the opportunity to work with the various age groups, and loves having a schedule when she sees different grades back-to-back.Her experience in each grade is totally different and she's constantly in awe of what her students can do at each level. (Check out her Instagram to see photos and videos of her classes in action.)
When Allison first started at MCS, students began studying French in fourth grade. In 2010, talks about expanding the program began. After a lot of research, time, and community input, the program expanded all the way down to kindergarten in 2014. Allison relishes in having the opportunity to work with the various age groups, and loves having a schedule when she sees different grades back-to-back.Her experience in each grade is totally different and she's constantly in awe of what her students can do at each level. (Check out her Instagram to see photos and videos of her classes in action.)
"Phenomenal! So thorough and helpful!" workshop attendee
Allison was honored and humbled to have received the VFLA Teacher of the Year award in March 2019 and representing the Green Mountain State at NECTFL in 2020.
When she's not teaching, Allison enjoys spending time with her cat, friends, and family, traveling, running obstacle races, researching and cooking vegan food, and keeping a really, REALLY clean house. (Just don't look at her classroom; it's usually a disaster!) She can't imagine doing anything else with her life, and hopes you will find some useful tidbits in her introspections that she posts here.
When she's not teaching, Allison enjoys spending time with her cat, friends, and family, traveling, running obstacle races, researching and cooking vegan food, and keeping a really, REALLY clean house. (Just don't look at her classroom; it's usually a disaster!) She can't imagine doing anything else with her life, and hopes you will find some useful tidbits in her introspections that she posts here.
What other people are saying about Allison
From students
Elementary
"Thank you so much for a great year in French. You taught me so much, and I loved being in your class. I hope that you can keep inspiring students to love French."
"I just wanted you to know how grateful i am that you helped me with french. In french i will just think hmmm what did madame Litten tell me and I am almost guaranteed to get the answer right when I think that. I chose to spend my time learning french with you and it was definitely the right decision! I loved it and i can never forget it! Even though you know i tend to forget somethings easily. MERCI"
Adult
"Allison surpassed our expectations for our French intensive weekend. She was undeniably well prepared & engaging the entire weekend. She is a dynamic & supportive educator."
"Allison was a great teacher. In spite of my rustiness, I found that I was advanced relative to the rest of the class. She was able to concoct ways to keep me active and on my toes while not leaving those at a beginner level behind. I would do this weekend again."
From administrators
"It was clear to me that [our visitors] were overwhelmed with the energy and spontaneity of the class, and of course, the limitless energy you seem to provide on a continual basis. I would venture to say they had not witnessed such a high caliber of instructional practice before, which says a lot about you and your school."
"Allison inspires students to keep learning, and she does that, in part, by being a continual learner herself."
"[What we observed in your classes] speak[s] volumes to the dedication, professionalism, and sheer talent you bring to our schools, and I wanted to take a moment and reflect upon all that you do on behalf of the students at Marion Cross School and the greater community of Norwich."
Elementary
"Thank you so much for a great year in French. You taught me so much, and I loved being in your class. I hope that you can keep inspiring students to love French."
"I just wanted you to know how grateful i am that you helped me with french. In french i will just think hmmm what did madame Litten tell me and I am almost guaranteed to get the answer right when I think that. I chose to spend my time learning french with you and it was definitely the right decision! I loved it and i can never forget it! Even though you know i tend to forget somethings easily. MERCI"
Adult
"Allison surpassed our expectations for our French intensive weekend. She was undeniably well prepared & engaging the entire weekend. She is a dynamic & supportive educator."
"Allison was a great teacher. In spite of my rustiness, I found that I was advanced relative to the rest of the class. She was able to concoct ways to keep me active and on my toes while not leaving those at a beginner level behind. I would do this weekend again."
From administrators
"It was clear to me that [our visitors] were overwhelmed with the energy and spontaneity of the class, and of course, the limitless energy you seem to provide on a continual basis. I would venture to say they had not witnessed such a high caliber of instructional practice before, which says a lot about you and your school."
"Allison inspires students to keep learning, and she does that, in part, by being a continual learner herself."
"[What we observed in your classes] speak[s] volumes to the dedication, professionalism, and sheer talent you bring to our schools, and I wanted to take a moment and reflect upon all that you do on behalf of the students at Marion Cross School and the greater community of Norwich."
From parents
"Thank you for teaching [our son]! His success is a sign of your wonderful teaching and enthusiasm over the years."
"[My son] has come home from school today speaking to me more in French than in English. He LOVED french class today. You have succeeded (or are succeeding) where I have not had much luck. MERCI MERCI MERCI"
"Thank you for taking the time out of your day to fill me in on how the kids are doing. They both speak highly of you and are really enjoying French. It appears to us that they are progressing nicely and generally happy to be there."
"[Our daughter] is loving French. Just to let you know how much fun she is having with you."
"Thank you for teaching [our son]! His success is a sign of your wonderful teaching and enthusiasm over the years."
"[My son] has come home from school today speaking to me more in French than in English. He LOVED french class today. You have succeeded (or are succeeding) where I have not had much luck. MERCI MERCI MERCI"
"Thank you for taking the time out of your day to fill me in on how the kids are doing. They both speak highly of you and are really enjoying French. It appears to us that they are progressing nicely and generally happy to be there."
"[Our daughter] is loving French. Just to let you know how much fun she is having with you."
From teacher observers
"I love visiting your classroom, and I am always impressed with what your students know in terms of language ability. Your enthusiasm and how expressive you are always makes me smile, and the fact that you always have students very much engaged, very "into it,", and always speaking in the target language, is wonderful...I wish we could have stayed for longer."
"I have always been impressed with Allison’s eagerness to share with her colleagues. I have said it over and over, and will continue to say it, that Allison is my 'guru'. She showed me the ropes on how to teach kids in fun and effective ways, and she continues to regularly inspire and impress me. She is passionate about her work and makes time in her schedule to visit other teachers. When she is in the classroom, she gives her students 100% of her energy and enthusiasm. I always enjoy seeing the personal relationships she develops with her students."
"I love visiting your classroom, and I am always impressed with what your students know in terms of language ability. Your enthusiasm and how expressive you are always makes me smile, and the fact that you always have students very much engaged, very "into it,", and always speaking in the target language, is wonderful...I wish we could have stayed for longer."
"I have always been impressed with Allison’s eagerness to share with her colleagues. I have said it over and over, and will continue to say it, that Allison is my 'guru'. She showed me the ropes on how to teach kids in fun and effective ways, and she continues to regularly inspire and impress me. She is passionate about her work and makes time in her schedule to visit other teachers. When she is in the classroom, she gives her students 100% of her energy and enthusiasm. I always enjoy seeing the personal relationships she develops with her students."
From workshop participants
"Inspiring. I came away with multiple ideas to implement in my own classroom."
"OMG, I can't believe what a generous presenter she is. Everything you could possibly want or need she has already anticipated and made available. I could spend all day listening to her and learning from her. "
"Very well done. Numerous examples to help beginning CI wrap our brains around it. And so generous to share her files."
"BIG crowd for the room. She was super entertaining...she kept the whole audience entertained and engaged."
"Inspiring. I came away with multiple ideas to implement in my own classroom."
"OMG, I can't believe what a generous presenter she is. Everything you could possibly want or need she has already anticipated and made available. I could spend all day listening to her and learning from her. "
"Very well done. Numerous examples to help beginning CI wrap our brains around it. And so generous to share her files."
"BIG crowd for the room. She was super entertaining...she kept the whole audience entertained and engaged."
