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03/01/2017 07:30 AMAllison McMahon lived in several places growing up, spending much of her time through high school in Minnesota. After calling Chicago home for many years, she was drawn to the shoreline where her sister lived with her husband and two children. Allison moved to Clinton in 2014.
“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.”
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 got her bachelor’s 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 subbing 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 before moving to Connecticut.
Allison found that moving was an adjustment on several levels. She enjoyed her newfound space as moving to the suburbs allowed her to have a house instead of a condo. She finally felt she had the space to be able to get a dog and they take walks through town every day.
“I love the history of Clinton,” she says. “I also love that I can walk anywhere. I’m within a mile from the grocery, my favorite deli, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Post Office, a pharmacy, and great seafood. And most importantly, the town beach.
“I love the shore, and I wanted to live on the shoreline,” she adds. “The people I’ve met are all so kind and welcoming, especially in my neighborhood.”
While she is happy to return to teaching, the set up of Connecticut schools was an adjustment as 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 for a block, focusing on literacy and comprehension. She also works with English as Learners Language students and co-teaches a class with a special education teacher.
“It makes the day really exciting and fun to have 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 and 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,” says Allison. “They make me laugh and no two days are ever the same.