Hi, everyone! My name is Ms. Allison O'Connor and I am extremely honored and excited to be teaching our students! I graduated from Tamaqua Area Senior High School in 2002.  I continued my education at Bloomsburg University, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary education in 2006.  Prior to graduation, I student taught in the Hazleton School District, having first taught First grade and then Sixth grade Language Arts.  I graduated from Bloomsburg Cum Laude. I enjoy learning and wanted to be able to reach a variety of learners.  That is why I decided to become certified in Special Education through Alvernia University in January of 2008.  I also received my certification in Secondary English, because I love to read and write. On May 15, 2010, I completed my Master's degree in Urban Education from Alvernia University. I am a member of two educational honor societies through Alvernia University; Kappa Delta Pi and Lamda Theta Tau.  I am glad I have completed this educational journey, but know that learning is a lifelong process and intend to continue taking classing throughout my teaching career.

This school year will be my eighth year as a fulltime teacher at Panther Valley .  I have spent six years teaching first grade and the past year teaching 7th! Prior to that time, I spent two years substituting.  The first year consisted of day-to-day assignments.  The second year allowed me to hold three longer positions, consisting of Eighth grade special education, Sixth-Eighth grade English, and First grade Special Education.  It is exciting for me to be able to see some of the students that I had several years ago as they progress in our elementary school!

As for my hobbies, believe it or not, I LOVE to run! I ran both rack and Cross Country in High School and continued throughout college. I still enjoy running to this day. I also love to read, ski, and go hiking!

 I have had tremendous encouragement and support in my life and wish wholeheartedly to do the same for my students! I try each day to be a positive role model in my students' lives, and teach them both academically and socially.  I work to instill in each student, as I know the parents, famililies, and other faculty members do, to treat one another with kindness and respect at all times.  I want our students to be able to depend on me and know that I care and am here to help and guide them.  I believe that both faculty and parents/families must work together to make the greatest impact on our students, so please inform me of any questions throughout the year that should arise!