Mrs. Allen-VanPatten

Grades taught & where?

4th Grade, Ogden Preparatory Academy 4th Grade, Washington Terrace Elementary 5th Grade, Roosevelt Elementary

Education (include any certifications or endorsements you have obtained).

Diploma in Bible and Piano Performance, Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music, Grand Rapids, MI

BA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, with a minor in Clarinet Performance, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI

MA in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Phoenix

Who/What inspired you to go into education?

 I have been very fortunate to have had some amazing teachers in my journey. The teacher who inspired me to constantly strive to be a better musician, is John Varineau. John was my clarinet teacher in college, but he is a brilliant person who is knowledgeable about pretty much any subject. John is the ultimate life-long learner. He and his wife, Gwen, have become life long friends. When we meet up - we pick up where we left off, and John continues to challenge me to think outside the box, and to do everything to the glory of God. 

What do you do when you aren't in school?

When I'm not in school and it's summer time, you can typically find me at Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks in upstate New York. I love spending time with my family at our cottage; swimming, painting, reading, hiking, and practicing the piano.

Favorite quote or your philosophy on education?

 “What are you teaching the world? How to be boring? How to make the world sad? No! No, you’re not. You’re teaching what it looks like to be awesome. No matter who you are, somebody’s learning from you. Everybody’s a teacher and everybody’s a student.” Kid President  

Favorite book?

 I don't have a favorite book...I have stacks of them. :)

Something Interesting about you:

 I love to learn, and I love to ask questions. I also love impressionist painting and music...but my favorite music to perform is Hindemith! My favorite job EVER was working as an accompanist for several brass studios. I loved the challenge of performing multiple times each week - and getting to practice 8-10 hours each day. 

Your favorite things:

 Starbucks black iced tea, no sweetener :) Midnight Milky Ways Snoopy

What is your favorite Leader In Me habit and why?

 Seek first to understand and then to be understood. This habit really hit home to me as I realized that many "difficult" students often get blamed for things that happen. When I began to listen to these students before assigning blame, I realized that often they were pushed into reacting by other students. Once I began to listen to really hear these students, we were able to develop trusting relationships, where they were no longer afraid to use their voices - and we were able to figure out ways for them to become proactive rather than reactive.