Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Gay.
Allison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began my journey as a teacher after having served two terms with the Hands-On Atlanta AmeriCorps program over 20 years ago. During my time as an AmeriCorps member, I served as a Team Leader and teaching assistant and fell in love with the profession of teaching. When my terms of service ended, I was provided an opportunity to teach art at the International Community School in Avondale Estates. I spent over 12 years working with an amazing group of students and families to design visual art shows and theater productions that introduced families from around the world to music and art that reflected the beauty of their diversity. I then moved to work with older students by joining the staff of Rockdale High School, leading their theater program for two years. I was excited to join the staff of Fulton Leadership Academy four years ago and I have been inspired by the energy and spirit of my students and their families. Each year, I have been amazed to watch young men who enter my class sometimes, shy and timid find their eye as photographers or their voices in theater and music.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My path to teaching has certainly come with the challenges that any educator’s face from workload to limited resources. However, each year, I have tried to cultivate new relationships and partnerships that support the goals of my school and students. To this end, the advice I would offer anyone, women or men moving into this profession is learning how to build a great rapport with community members, families and colleagues is going to be key to your success. Demonstrating respect for your students and families will support you in developing stronger classroom environments. The number of external distractions and/or issues that impact students definitely makes each day of teaching unique, but when I see the light in the eyes of my students every challenge is worth it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Fulton Leadership Academy Teacher story. Tell us more about it.
I have a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from SCAD, which I use every day to teach visual arts and photography to my students. I began writing and producing youth plays, which I continue to do with my students as well. I also enjoy introducing my students and sometimes their families to music from eras well before they were born, To see them take on the characters or voices from those in the past, I am able to also share the rich history of their community and people with them as well. I am not certain there is anything in particular that sets me apart, but I do feel blessed to get to do what I do and the difference I get to make in the lives of my students.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Some of the biggest barriers facing female leadership in education is the willingness of others to trust in their leadership. Certainly, education has a great deal more women in positions of leadership, simply because of the number of women present in the profession, but not all people still respect the role of those women. It will be necessary for the paradigm to shift from people not valuing the voices and decisions of women, but I am encouraged that the tide is turning.
Contact Info:
- Address: Fulton Leadership Academy
2575 Dodson Drive
East Point, GA 30344 - Website: fultonleadershipacademy.net
- Phone: 404-472-3529
Image Credit:
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