Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Teicher-fahrbach
Allison, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was in kindergarten, I was blessed with the opportunity to read to my class on a day when my teacher was sick. Sitting in that chair, reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss to my entire kindergarten class, I realized the genuine power of education. I discovered the power of being able to read. I discovered the value of empowering individuals to pursue their gifts and talents. It was my first discernable interaction with establishing and continuing to build upon self-determination. When I was in third and fourth grade, I worked with phenomenal teachers who empowered youth through student voice and student choice. We were able to engage in such thrilling research projects, and the authentic, real-world experiences we were a part of helped each of us grow in such a beautiful way. On the verge of my high school experience, I found, what I believed, was one of the most amazing things to achieve in the field of education: earning a PhD. I promised myself that one day I would earn one.
Learning is the foundation of life, and it never stops. I have carried this value with me throughout my life. When I began as an educator, I was continuously inspired to keep learning, keep striving to gain more insight into the world, and consistently respond to the question: “What problem in the world do you want to solve?” And I yearned to respond to the follow-up question: “How?”
Years went by. Life happened, as it always does, and I eventually tucked the idea of a PhD away in the recesses of my mind.
Then, a series of challenges struck my family, and I was met with the question: “What would you do if you stopped making excuses?”
I knew precisely what I would do: earn my PhD.
Over the past few years, I completed extensive research on trauma-informed education. I believe that when we focus on our traumas and our challenges, and actively try to develop solutions, we can learn to cope, we can heal, and we can become beacons of hope. We can grow in ways we never could have imagined. The traumatic experiences we have endured could be seen as ways to heal ourselves and our society. I worked incredibly hard, and I earned my PhD. I am in the process of working on an educational framework focused on the realm of trauma-informed education and other fantastic elements of the educational world. I have been writing several non-fiction and fiction-based works, and my poetry was published in another series of anthologies. In 2024, I presented at several conferences and accepted a role in school leadership. Someday soon, I hope to develop a TED talk where I can share information about trauma and trauma-informed education and hope for others to realize that healing is possible, even if it takes a bit longer than expected.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Over the years, I have been met with countless challenges. Instead of sitting around crying and wondering, “Why me?” I chose to look at the world through a solution-oriented lens. I lost friends, family members, opportunities to grow personally and professionally, and so much more. Every single rejection became my re-direction. Through it all, I wondered what the situation was teaching me. Instead of getting deeply upset or angry, I learned to take a step back and start working towards ways to solve the challenges I was facing. I was working full-time, attending school full-time, and handling various familial responsibilities.
Still, as Maya Angelou says so poignantly, “I rise.”
When tragedy struck my family, I was asked, “What would you do if you stopped making excuses?” From that moment on, it was as if a light was growing from within me. That light seemed destined to shine. No matter what, I kept pushing myself and striving for the goals I set forth. Sometimes, things would not go my way. I would be incredibly close to an opportunity I hoped for, but it just did not seem to be the right time. Still, I approached the situation with poise and grace. I congratulated and honored those whose time it was to shine, as it is important to cherish and respect everyone on their respective journeys. I would take a peaceful moment or two to reflect on my situation and take progressive steps forward (even if that meant taking a break, redirecting energy a bit, or doing something else that was helpful). The other day I was listening to a group of people talking. They mentioned how thousands of athletes work their entire lives to get to the Olympics, though only a handful of individuals in each competition make it to the award ceremony. Still, all of the individuals who worked hard to get there should be valued, appreciated, and highly revered. They made it to the Olympics. They worked HARD to get to where they were. Maybe it is not their time to stand on the award stage and wear a medallion around their neck, but their efforts should still be acknowledged.
No matter what, keep on going, keep on growing, and know that whether it is your time to shine – or another person’s time to shine – it is crucial to respect and honor your and their journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have most recently stepped into an educational leadership role at an urban high school. I am multi-passionate about a number of different research topics, which include trauma-informed education, curriculum development, English Language Learners, 2e learning opportunities, and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (which was developed by Dr. Joseph Renzulli and Dr. Sally Reis). I am known for the countless presentations I have given based on the aforementioned topics, and I have also published multiple self-help and poetry books, and I have authored various poems that have been featured in poetry anthologies. Most of all, I am most proud of my authenticity. I feel like despite all of the research, projects, workshops, and writings I have developed, I have continued to stay true to who I am. I feel I have not strayed from acknowledging the ideas: “What problem in the world do you want to solve?” and “What solutions can you bring to the table?” I tend to be solution-oriented and very passionate about improving the field of education. I also thoroughly enjoy collaborating with educators, solution developers, and creative thinkers who wish to help individuals find their “thing” in life. It is a joy to work with individuals who are looking to further and enhance the various aspects of education. Through the lens of educational leadership, I help to empower and inspire others to build upon their passions, creations, projects, and solutions, so that they may also help better the lives of all around them. Overall, the goal is to be a lighthouse – to shine a light for all to see. To be super excited about what you do, so that others can be empowered to pursue their goals. To help youth develop an idea of what they want to be, want to develop, and want to create. I always say, “Grow through what you go through,” and “Learning is the foundation of life.” Who knows what you can do until you put your mind to it?
What’s next?
Stepping into a new school leadership role means a lot of big changes in my life! I am very eager and excited to see what’s next. I hope to support the students, staff, and communities within the new school I work in. In addition, I am working on several different research projects, writings, and musings. I am especially excited about a few trauma-informed education writing projects and a potential new book in the works. There are several other things I am working on… but as I have noticed, sometimes the best thing to do is become a ghost: stay quiet, stay focused, stay determined, and when something is definitely happening (or when you are comfortable to do so) then share it with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://campsite.bio/doctoratf
