Allison Rhyner

Allison Rhyner of Rockton teaches special education Kindergarten at Machesney Park’s Donald C. Parker Center, where she’s in her eighth year teaching. She’s been a teacher for 10 years. A parent who nominated her wrote, “If you’re looking for someone who truly cares about the students, fights for what they need, and what’s best for them, and does everything in their power to make sure they learn and grow, then, you don’t have to look any further.”  One of her peers recommended Allison, writing that, “she will always stand up for her students and help parents and teachers find resources that will help her students succeed. Sometimes this requires uncomfortable conversations, but she puts her students first in each situation … she is an inspiration for future special education teachers.”  This year, Allison took on a new challenge by opening a developmentally appropriate version of the district’s Learning Lab program to support kindergarten students who may struggle to regulate emotions or experience difficulty working with others. She helps young learners develop social-emotional skills, learn to collaborate and master foundational school routines. Principal Erin Anderson wrote, “Her guidance is invaluable and ultimately she’s setting them up for future success.” Allison believes that “the excellence of a teacher is a direct reflection of the educators with whom they surround themselves, which in turn, benefits all of our students.” She collaborates daily with para-professionals, the school social worker and occupational therapist as well as peers to provide the best educational experience possible for her students. Differentiation is key, as she wants her students “challenged at an instructional level rather than a frustrational level.” Allison’s students started the school year taking issue with simple requests like “sit here” or “walk with me,” and had constant crisis calls, but now “they are asking for more work, following directions and smiling throughout their days.” There’s a reason Allison writes her lesson plans in pencil, because “in any classroom, plans can change”! Sometimes, a student can have “big feelings” or problems self-regulating. Classroom observers noted how Allison re-focused students. She has expectations, but she also has compassion.