Durham-Allen honored as Early Childhood Teacher of the Year for her 'compassion' to students

Described as an amazing part of the staff and invaluable part of the Special Education Department, Traci Durham-Allen was selected to represent the Early Childhood Center as the 2019-20 Teacher of the Year.

“Traci shows so much compassion to her students and helps push them to achieve all that they can,” fellow Early Childhood Special Education teacher Michelle Caswell said. “She never allows a diagnosis to define a child’s abilities or limit what they can do. Her consistency and love for what she does shines through from start to finish.”

Durham-Allen

Durham-Allen has a special gift of being able to put parents at ease during meetings regarding their children and any learning difficulties they may have by offering suggestions, Early Childhood speech teacher Sharon Burkey said in her nomination letter.

Described as quiet and mild mannered, Durham-Allen is known to be an extremely strong communicator and advocate for children among her peers.

“Mrs. Allen is extremely friendly and demonstrates respect for all people she works with, both children and adults,” said Poplar Bluff R-1 School Psychologist Laura Bond. “Mrs. Allen does not take defeat as an option. She frequently tries new things to help a child succeed in her classroom.”

Being nominated is very meaningful to Durham-Allen because she is so new to the Early Childhood Center.

“Most of the teachers at Early Childhood have been in the business of teaching preschool in Poplar Bluff for many years,” she said. “ I have only been teaching at Early Childhood here in Poplar Bluff since 2015, so to be nominated by such an knowledgeable and veteran staff really warms my heart and makes me feel really appreciated.”

Durham-Allen has been with the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District since 2012 and in the education world since 2005.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from Hannibal La Grange University.

Durham-Allen has opened her home to foster care, is an active member in her church and supports her husband’s high school choir.

As a student who was not successful with typical learning styles in her elementary years, Durham-Allen said after moving to a school to accommodate different styles, she felt successful.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I think that is why I enjoy teaching special education. I enjoy finding how students learn and helping them be successful.”

The family of a student of Durham-Allen’s spoke highly of the teacher who helped turn their daughter into a positive child who can count, recite her alphabet and colors, and talks about school.

“You have been a great first-year teacher for her and we will never be able to thank you enough,” the family wrote.

Much like her fellow teachers and parents, Durham-Allen’s students also believe she is much deserving of the Early Childhood TOY Award.

A 4-year-old Early Childhood student said she likes when Durham-Allen helps her walk as well as dance and sing.

Art projects top another student’s favorite activity with Durham-Allen.

“I like painting with Ms. Traci and I like when she reads stories,” she said. “Coloring is fun. Ms. Traci colors, too. I like Ms. Traci a lot.”

Durham-Allen said her teaching philosophy has evolved throughout her years in education.

“I firmly believe that students need to feel safe, first and foremost,” she said. “When students feel safe, they are willing to take risks within the learning environment.”

She also added students need to know they are seen and their teacher knows them.

“Remembering when a student has soccer practice and asking about it the next day, or remembering their dog’s name helps them feel like they are important to their teacher and an important part of the learning community,” Durham-Allen said. “Helping students find the way that they learn best is also key to my philosophy, as well as exposing them to instruction styles that they may not have experienced before.”

In Durham-Allen’s classroom, all the students have important jobs to ensure they feel like a valued part of the community.

“We don’t all look the same or learn the same way,” she said, “but we are all an important part of our classroom family.”