Feature Teacher: Mrs. Allison

Mrs. Allison is still going strong after serving 35 years at ERHS.

Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14

            Having taught for thirty-five years here at Eaton Rapids High School, Mrs. Allison still enjoys waking up everyday and coming to school, unlike most of us. Mrs. Allison teaches Algebra Two, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Geometry and Algebra One. She most enjoys teaching Trigonometry.

Before she came to Michigan, Mrs. Allison worked at two different high schools in Colorado. When she moved to Michigan, Mrs. Allison started as a teacher in Holt and came here in the fall of ’81. Mrs. Allison went to college for one semester at Western University, and two years at Alma College. She got her Bachelors Degree from University of Colorado and her Masters Degree from Michigan State University.

At first Mrs. Allison didn’t want to be a teacher. She started out as wanting to be a social worker, then a psychologist. Mrs. Allison has always loved math, even when she was growing up. She used to tutor and that was when she realized she had a talent for being able to teach people, so she thought being a math teacher would suit her well. 

Mrs. Allison has two daughters, Erin and Sara, who both attended Eaton Rapids High School. However, Mrs. Allison never had them as a student. Mrs. Allison has had fun this year and it has gone great for her. She’s enjoyed all of her classes. Most of her students have enjoyed having her as a teacher as well. “I’ve had Mrs. Allison for Algebra Two and Geometry and I’ve always enjoyed her class. She’s funny and she makes math fun”, says Leah Fast ’13.Throughout her thirty-five years teaching, many things have changed. From the way that math is taught, to the technology used. “Math will never change, but the way we teach it will always be changing. You guys are lucky to have calculators now and not have to do everything in your head or write everything out”, comments Mrs. Allison on teaching.

The best part of her job is the students. Mrs. Allison is happy to get up every morning and come to school to teach. Some of Mrs. Allison’s favorite parts of teaching are reading the “secrets” on her get to know you cards that she passes out at the beginning of every trimester. If Mrs. Allison wasn’t a teacher she said she’d be a meteorologist. “I’ve always loved the weather and I think it would be fun, just like my job is now”, says Mrs. Allison. If you have or have had Mrs. Allison for a teacher you’ve probably heard some of her many stories. If you haven’t had her as a teacher hopefully you will at some point during your time in highs school. If you’ve never had her as a teacher and never will, well, that’s your loss. Mrs. Allison is a great teacher and is always willing to help anyone who asks for it. Mrs. Allison has enjoyed her time here at Eaton Rapids High School and is unfortunately planning on retiring in three years.