VonVange is a Thoroughly Huntington Teacher
Allison VonVange is thoroughly Huntington. She was raised here, attended Jefferson Elementary School and graduated from Huntington High School in 1991. She has never really strayed too far from her hometown.
After spending two years studying at SUNY Albany, Mrs. VonVange returned to Long Island, obtaining her bachelor’s degree in child study at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue. She completed her student teaching requirements in Huntington and was hired by the district in September 1996.
Mrs. VonVange kicked off college as a criminal justice major. “I changed it numerous times to psychology, political science, the classics and history,” she said. “I got the teaching bug when I transferred to St. Joseph’s. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone else, since I was a dance teacher during high school, volunteered as a tutor to students in elementary school in my senior year and spent most of my childhood playing ‘school’ [at home].”
Her career appears to be a perfect fit for the veteran Huntington faculty member. “I have loved teaching since my first day, which coincidentally was my birthday,” said Mrs. VonVange, who earned a master’s degree at SUNY Stony Brook. She was originally assigned to Southdown School as a fourth grade teacher and later moved to the fifth grade level for three years and then to sixth grade, where she has stayed every since. She’s currently the science teacher for her “team” at Jack Abrams Intermediate School.
“I truly consider it a privilege to teach,” Mrs. VonVange said. “I think the students have as much to teach me as I do them.” She active outside of the classroom, too, serving as the school’s drama club advisor and helping to coordinate the annual sixth grade outdoor education trip to Greenkill.
Sometimes it’s hard for her to believe she’s been teaching for almost 15 years. Two of her students from that first class at Southdown School are now teachers themselves, working as substitutes in the district. “She loves her students and they are always coming back helping her in projects,” said Mary Stokkers, principal of Jack Abrams School.
When Mrs. VonVange attended elementary school, Jack Abrams was the principal there. That ironic connection to where she works today is sort of neat and she enjoys it. “I love teaching in the building named after my school principal at Jefferson,” she said. “Mr. Abrams believes in ‘everything you do, do with enthusiasm.’ I try to have my teaching reflect that philosophy.”
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office