Theresa Knight-Allen is one of the new assistant principals at Texas High managing community outreach, attendance, make-up hours, and the science department. Before working in with the secondary grade students, Allen endured multiple experiences working with younger grade levels.
“I started in the district 23 years ago, I was a specialist teacher at Theron Jones, which used to be called 15th Street, and at Dunbar,” Allen said. “After that, I [worked] full-time at Dunbar for the next 12 years, I went from a special-ed teacher to an instructional coach. [Then I] moved to Highland Park. During my stay at Highland Park, I was an interventionist for math and reading and an instructional coach for third through fifth grade in all subjects.”
Allen continued to work on the elementary level; however, it wasn’t until later in her career that she moved into the assistant principal position at Westlawn Elementary.
“In 2019, I got the opportunity to become an assistant principal at Westlawn Elementary,” Allen said. “I worked there for four years in the elementary setting, and now this is my first year being in a secondary setting with Texas High.”
Adjusting to the new campus culture has been trouble-free for Allen; however, she’s noticed a few pivoting differences as far as the inner-workings of a high school are concerned.
“I’m adjusting well, it is a big jump from elementary to secondary and I have to adjust myself on how I carry myself towards certain students. I want them to respect me, but I [also] want to gain their trust as well,” Allen said. “The biggest change for me however iis the curriculum. I now have biology, chemistry, and those big subjects while in elementary school just reading, math and science.”
Aside from the adjustment to student interaction and preparatory curriculum, Allen strives to utilize her position to make an impact and difference on campus.
“I’d like to see a change in how we interact and talk to each other, how we should respect each other, because in the long run, when they graduate from Texas High, they’re going to be adults in society, and we need them to learn to treat each other with respect,” Allen said. “I’m seeing a lot of students that are just not doing that, and I want to carry out a model within the student body, showing them this is how you respect, this is how you communicate with people.”
Upon moving to the high school campus, Allen immediately noticed a vast difference in the unity and support of her co-workers along with other staff members on campus; making her experience all the more fulfilling.
“This is only my fifth year being an administrator, and I feel welcomed just by hearing those small accolades like ‘oh you’re doing a good job,’” Allen said. “I just think this is the place I need to be.”
