Kentucky Connected Educator Allison Hunt

Allison Hunt Jefferson County Schools

In what ways are you a connected educator?

A connected educator  isn’t constrained by spatial proximity.  In my geography classes we often discuss time-space compression and how technology allows us to overcome concerns of distance.  Some of my most valued colleagues teach hundreds or thousands of miles away from my classroom.  We come together online and act as an authentic professional learning community.  I am connected with my colleagues across the country and beyond by being the administrator of the Advanced Placement Human Geography Readers Facebook page, the moderator of the College Board Advanced Placement Human Geography Community, and by following amazing education professionals on Twitter (for example, Seth Dixon @humangeog who is a college professor in Rhode Island).  

How does being connected impact your practice in schools/classroom?

Being a connected educator challenges me to reflect on my practice every day.  Reading the amazing things other teachers across the world are doing on a regular basis challenges me to create the same types of experiences for my students.  Being connected means that the examples I bring to the classroom are current examples, which are much more meaningful to students.  In the future I hope to work with other AP Human Geography teachers on a series of common projects our students can share with each other.

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

Today there is a great deal of emphasis on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).  Truly effective PLCs occur organically, they are not the forced PLCs that many educators have experienced.  I consider my connected activities with other educators part of my PLC.  I can’t imagine not having the valuable exchanges with my colleagues across the country.  With my interactions I can reflect on lessons (both my own and theirs), share resources, and just generally be supported by others.  Being connected goes a long way towards breaking down the walls of our one room school house mentality.

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

The main piece of advice is one I repeatedly give teachers who join our Advanced Placement Human Geography Facebook Group- you have something valuable to contribute.  Don’t hold back and instead join in the conversations.  Ask questions, answer questions, post resources, evaluate resources, etc.  The more you give, the more you will gain!  As far as resources, start with a simple search of your favorite social media site(s).  If you teach Advanced Placement be sure to participate in the established College Board communities.

Bio: Allison Hunt is a National Board Certificed Teacher and an Advanced Placement Human Geograpy Teacher at duPont Manual High School in Jefferson County. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the importance of building positive relationships and in challenging all students to achieve at the highest possible level. In addition to her teaching load, she sponsors the Classes of 2015 and 2016. She is also the moderator of the AP Human Geography Community, An AP Human Geography Test Development Committee member, a steering member for the Kentucky Geography Allianse, a board member for the KEntucy Association of School Counciles, a 2013 Hope Street Group National Teacher Fellow, and past-preseidnet of the Kentucky Association of Teachers of History. She has received awards including the 2013 Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year, 2013 Allison Hunt is National Board Certified Teacher and an Advanced Placement Human Geography School Teacher of the Year, 2012 Gold Star Teacher Award from W!ise, 2012 Behring National History Day Kentucky Teacher of the Year, 2011 WHAS-TV ExCEL Award, 2009 Distinguieshed Teacher AWard from the National Council for Geographic Education, and the 2008 Kentucky Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award from the Kentucky Council of Social Studies. Allison earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration/Political Science from Georgetwon College, her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Louisville, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Louisville.