Teacher of the Week: Kristen Allen

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Kristen Allen wants nothing more than to see the smile on children’s faces every at Douglass Academy in Wilmington.

She says “those faces, those hugs are changing the world.”  Being a teacher is something she uses to make the world a better place.

Her first grade class studies hard, but also enjoys dancing and learning about things which are not in books.  “Kindness, independence and caring,” Allen says, “is just as important as the curriculum.”

Allen admits she struggled in school herself and was told she wouldn’t accomplish her goals by a guidance counselor.  “I wanted to prove him wrong,” she says, “I love nothing more than hitting goals!”

She is inspired by her hard work to become a teacher and pushes her students to know they too can accomplish anything they want in the world.

As a special lesson for Black History Month her class is studying the words of famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the namesake of the school. “He said if you can read forever, you will be free forever.  I strongly believe in that quote,” she says, “and I think my children believe in it too.”

As the WWAY Michael and Son Teacher of the week she advises all students, everywhere to work hard and learn as much as possible.  She says with education and hard work “anyone can be anything they want to be.”

You can nominate your favorite teacher for the WWAY Michael and Son Teacher of the week by clicking here.