West Madison lauds Allen as top teacher

MADISON – Counselor Stephanie Allen is Teacher of the Year at West Madison Elementary School.

Previously, Allen was associated with The Enrichment Center and started an intervention/prevention program, Enrich & Impact, for area schools. “During that time, my passion for helping kids led to me a MCS counseling position,” Allen said. She also counseled at-risk students in Birmingham.

Allen assists Elementary Student to Student or ES2S, a program from Military Child Coalition to welcome new students during transition to West Madison.

“Being in Madison and closely located by a military base, this is especially important to connect to each child who walks in our school doors,” she said. “No matter how long they’re with us, I always say, ‘Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.’”

Allen sponsors Watch D.O.G.S., which activates fathers as volunteers. She chairs Character Education Committee and serves on committees for assemblies and scheduling, RTI team and PTA.

“I love working with community partners on various programs, including our weekend food bag program and providing school supplies to students who need them,” Allen said.

A catalyst for Allen’s teaching philosophy is the axiom, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” She connects with each student “to let them know they’re loved and cared about.”

“When a child sees you care and can trust you, it drives them to achieve more in/out of the classroom. I want to help each student discover and develop their unique gifts,” she said.

A great influence to Allen, her fifth-grade teacher Cindy Crawford helped when Allen moved to the new school. “She was so thoughtful and caring and made my transition wonderful. Honestly, teachers and staff at West Madison have taught me so much these last four years. I’m so thankful for their investment and belief in me! I hope I’m always learning from those around me.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree at Samford University, Allen received a master’s degree in counseling from University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified School Counselor and member of state and national counseling associations.

She and husband Robbie moved from Birmingham to Madison with his job transfer in 2006. A contractor, Robbie works as senior analyst for ERC Inc. on Redstone Arsenal. Their three sons are Parker, 7, and Asher, 5, a third-grader and kindergartner at West Madison, respectively, and three-year-old Graham.

During free time, she cherishes time with family, the outdoors, the beach and reading.