DFSME’s May’s “Shining Light Award” Honors Angel (Renee) Allen,  CTE Physical Therapy & Athletic Healthcare Educator

As a special feature this month, we share the following personal tribute from JB Hersch, parent of two of Mrs. Allen’s past students.

“I had the privilege of meeting Renee in 2012 (sort of; more on this later). Little did I know, she would become a central figure in my children’s journey through middle and high school at Conrad Schools of Science. Beyond her teaching role, Mrs. Allen has been the athletic trainer at Conrad since its launch as a magnet school for sciences.

As both of my children were 3-sport athletes, over the 7 years of middle and high school, her personal contribution to my family translates to 42 seasons of taping, healing, and first aid for one concussion per kid. Off the field, as a classroom teacher to my kids, I saw first-hand her passion for “excellence in academics and professionalism”. This standard was foundational for one kid becoming a BSN/RN, and the other becoming a military officer.

Her impact on our family went even further with other activities Mrs. Allen spearheads at Conrad. She has served as the HOSA lead (Health Occupations Students of America; now known as Future Health Professionals) since 2014. As a result of her coaching and support, my daughter qualified for the International Competition.

“Of course, Mrs. Allen went the extra mile to chaperone the trip personally. This should have been enough, but Mrs. Allen also launched the Blue & Gold chapter at the school, where both kids participated as time permitted.

When I learned that Renee was selected by the DFSME Awards and Recognition committee to be recognized this month, I was honored to present the Shining Light Award to her. Renee was nominated by Jean Ann Crowe, the chair of Conrad’s nursing program, who was very influential in my daughter’s journey to becoming a nurse, making this opportunity extra special. The Shining Light Award is presented to a teacher each month for their outstanding achievement in “inspiring and educating today’s students for the workforce of tomorrow”.

The Shining Light Award is presented to a teacher each month for their outstanding achievement in “inspiring and educating today’s students for the workforce of tomorrow”. It is one of the educator recognition programs of the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME), where I serve as Treasurer and as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. When I learned that Mrs. Allen was selected to receive the Shining Light award, I knew that I needed to be there to present it to her. She was nominated by Jean Ann Crowe, which made this opportunity extra special for me. Jean is the chair of the nursing program, and she was very influential in my daughter’s journey to becoming a nurse. It is always a pleasure to recognized Delaware’s excellent educators, but this was a real full-circle opportunity for me personally.

When I was talking with Renee after presenting her the award, she reminded me that her son and my daughter not only graduated high school together, but they attended the same pre-school. So, in fact, I actually met Renee in 2001. (It’s a Delaware thing.)

More formally, Angel (Renee) Allen teaches at Conrad Schools of Science in the Red Clay Consolidated School District. She serves as the CTE Department Chair for Physical Therapy and Athletic Healthcare that she led from planning through implementation. Renee is the Advisor for HOSA Future Health Professionals and Blue Gold, and Conrad’s National Technical Honor Society Chapter. She brings her real-world experience as an athletic trainer to make direct connection for her students. It is not surprising that Mrs. Allen has been nominated for and won many awards during her influential career, including Goodheart-Willcox Outstanding Service Award Finalist, named Delaware HOSA Advisor of the Year, and was a finalist for Red Clay Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to Renee on this well-deserved recognition for the impact you have had on so many students for many years. Personally, thank you once again for being an integral part of the community of many outstanding teachers, advisors and coaches that it takes to raise children in Delaware.”

JB Hersch, DFSME Treasurer & member of DFSME Executive Leadership Team.

 

We are pleased to recognize Angel (Renee) Allen as a Superlative Educator!
Angel Allen was nominated by Jean Ann Crowe, RN, BSN, and Nursing Assistant at the Conrad Schools of Science, Red Clay Consolidated School District.

 

Thank You to Our Shining Light Program Sponsor: Chesapeake Utilities