Valerie Allison

PHD, University of Utah

MED, University of Utah

BA, Westminster College Salt Lake City

I have been a member of the Education Department since 2008. Prior to coming to SU, I taught junior high language arts for 12 years and worked as a school administrator for eight, including five years as an elementary principal in Salt Lake City, UT.

I am passionate about the social and political dimensions of public schooling. My research interests include action and self-study research, narrative inquiry, equity and advocacy in public education, and literacy development. I enjoy presenting at national and international academic conferences particularly when co-presenting with students.

What I enjoy most about teaching at SU are the opportunities I have to facilitate students’ uncovering and interrogating their assumptions about taken-for-granted structures and practices in schools. My goal is for students to leave my courses with both a fuller understanding of the complexities and biases embedded in schooling and with a firm commitment to teaching in a manner that is respectful of and empowering for learners from all backgrounds.

When I’m not busy with work and family, I enjoy being outdoors. I am an avid road cyclist, but I also enjoy scuba diving, swimming, running, and hiking. I love cooking and eating cuisine from around the world. As much as possible, I take the opportunity to travel. My favorite trip to date was a bike tour in Ireland that I took with a friend. We cycled through Donegal County on country lanes, slept in B&B’s, ate and drank the local fare, and had interesting conversations with folks about topics ranging from sheep-raising to scone baking.