Anne Sheley-Allen Alumni Profile

Human Development and Family Studies and Early Childhood Alumna Named Teacher of the Year and Campus Ambassador

College of Human Sciences alumna Anne Sheley-Allen earned her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) with a concentration in Early Childhood in 1995. Anne has worked as an educator for 24 years and has certifications in Elementary Early Childhood Education, Elementary Self Contained, and English as a Second Language.

"What do I do? I create life-long learners," Anne said. "In my class every student enters with a promise of exploring and learning experiences in order to exit with a purpose towards their own path to success."

Anne has taught at Shultz Elementary School in Klein Independent School District for 21 years. Anne spent the first 13 of those years teaching first grade and is now in her 8th year of teaching kindergarten. In 2009, Anne was awarded Teacher of the Year by her colleagues at Schultz Elementary and was selected the following year to represent Schultz as an ambassador in order to advocate for the good things happening in public education.

"To be recognized by your own colleagues is an honor of itself," Anne said. "What an honor to be validated by my colleagues who also go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure all children achieve success. I pride myself on building positively kind and loving community within my classroom family where learning takes place for everyone."

Anne was initially drawn to the field of education by a teacher and mentor of hers.

"I participated in the PELE (Pre-Employment Lab Education program) when I graduated from Klein Forest High School. My teacher and mentor, Mrs. Susan Dorsey, was the one who guided me toward the world of Education."

Anne chose to attend Texas Tech University because of the Early Childhood program and access to the Child Development Research Center (CDRC).

"Hands-on planning and instruction through the pre-school laboratory on the campus near the College of Human Sciences was a significant turning-point in my decision to make teaching my career," Anne said. "My instructors and professors were the ones to nurture my desire to teach early childhood and establish the foundational understanding of dedication, love and patience with children."

For students who want to become elementary teachers, they must earn their teaching certification in approved programs, such as the Early Childhood program. Anne says that Texas Tech's Early Childhood program prepares students for a more specialized field than a traditional education major.

Outside of her kindergarten classroom, Anne is a proud single mother of two sons. She is an active leader in her sons' boy scout troop, and all of their extracurricular activities. Anne's family loves hunting in the hill country, floating on the Frio, and cheering on at their favorite Houston, TX sports teams—although she says they love cheering on Texas Tech teams as well. In her downtime, Anne enjoys spending time in her garden and reading.

The Early Childhood program at Texas Tech made a lasting impression on Anne's teaching career. Anne often shares the words wisdom she gathered during her time in the College of Human Sciences with aspiring teachers.

"My favorite quote from one professor sticks with me today, 'we are always being told to be patient with children, but first you must understand why you are having to be patient.' I pass this quote on to my student teachers as well."