Allison now an assistant principal

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.)

Christie Allison keeps busy as the new assistant principal of Hillsboro Elementary School in Coffee County. (Will Stewart photo)

A special education teacher for 16 years, McMinnville resident and Coffee County teacher Christie Allison said she never imagined leaving the classroom for administration, but she did just that when she was given the opportunity this summer to become assistant principal at Hillsboro Elementary School.

Allison, a Warren County native, began her teaching career in neighboring White County after earning her bachelor’s degree in special education. She then returned to Warren County where she taught for a couple of years at the now-defunct Northside Elementary before transferring to the high school in 1990.

Seeking a change, she left the high school in 1997 to accept another special education position, this time at Hillsboro Elementary School in Coffee County. When the assistant principal’s position at that school became available this summer, Allison decided to apply for it.

“It just sort of fell in my lap,” she said. “I wasn’t unhappy where I was, in fact I’ve never been happier elsewhere, but I was ready for something different and this was a great opportunity.”

Allison’s official title is instruction coordinator/assistant principal. Her primary duty is to assist the K-5 school’s teachers with anything related to instruction. This includes ordering all textbooks and materials, helping struggling students who need special services, helping teachers with any behavior problems in their rooms and, on occasion, actually filling in when needed in the classroom.

She will also fill in for the principal when needed and will handle all necessary administrative and disciplinary concerns.

As Coffee County’s school year just recently began, Allison said she is still adjusting to her new role. “It’s completely different than what I was used to, though it’s what I expected,” she said. “Something is going on all the time – ringing phones, talking to teachers. At the end of the day I’m tired, but it’s a good kind of tired. I’m still not sure I’m not going to miss teaching, but I’m already enjoying this immensely.”

Hillsboro Elementary principal Suzi Boyd had nothing but positive remarks about Allison and her job performance.

“Christie has been a big asset to this school, a positive force. Her move will allow her to affect more students than before. She’s proven already she will do good things for Hillsboro,” Boyd said.