Since 2005, Traci Durham-Allen has been working in the education system in one capacity or another. As a curriculum director, kindergarten teacher and integrated special education teacher, Allen has focused on enriching the lives of her students and follows her motto, “If you know better, you do better.”
Allen said it was “kind of overwhelming” to be nominated as Teacher of the Year at the Early Childhood Center.
“I’m so flattered,” she said. “But I work with so many tremendous professionals who are great teachers, and I have such wonderful support staff that I can lean on to do what I do.”
Allen is currently the Students With Intensive Needs (SWIN) room teacher, and many of her students are non-verbal.
“It’s an important position because I am their first step — their first experience — with education,” Allen noted. “And in addition to working with the students, I also work with the parents and other teachers as well.”
Allen didn’t always know that she wanted to be a teacher. As an adolescent, she grew up in the Kansas City area, where her parents had their own accounting business.
“I knew that I didn’t want to do that,” Allen laughed. “It was too much math. No way did I want a career doing that.”
But when she was a senior in high school, Allen participated as a cadet teacher in her school and decided she liked it. While in college, her idea to be a teacher grew even more as she worked in daycares to support herself.
“I bonded with the children and I established great relationships with the parents as well,” Allen noted. “I discovered pretty early on that I naturally feel more comfortable working with children.”
The parents of her students seem to feel the same way.
“My wife and I have noticed a significant and positive change in our son, Grey, since he has been a pupil of Mrs. Allen,” said James Stafford. “On a weekly basis, Grey will make comments about how much he enjoys Miss Traci as a teacher. Her care factor for the children is unprecedented in my experience as a parent.”
Allen explained that it is a series of successes that motivate her each day.
“We get to have daily celebrations for so many things that might seem otherwise simple for other people,” Allen noted. “But for my kids, these incremental changes and improvements are very big deals. Each milestone is so important and we get to recognize that every time it happens.”
Allen’s peers also think very highly of her and her approach to education.
“Currently, Traci serves as a beacon of inspiration in our SWIN program, where her dedication and compassion have transformed the academic journeys of countless students,” said Jeanine Bradley, speech pathologist. “Her commitment to excellence is evident in her innovative teaching methods, tailored to meet the unique needs of each student.”
“I have a saying that goes: when you know better, you do better,” Allen said. “I not only follow that but I say it to others and I believe in it.”
Allen said she also works with the program Parents as Teachers because it gives her an opportunity to help parents with the development of their children.
“I believe that education starts at home,” Allen remarked. “And parents are the first teachers a child will have. And I truly believe that if they know better — in multiple areas of development — they will do better, and the children will be better off.”
Though her career in education spans almost 20 years, Allen explained she feels like she is just getting started because of the advances that are coming along to aid her in teaching her special students.
“They continue to surprise me, and I get to see improvement every day,” Allen stated. “This was definitely the right decision for me.”