Ten years ago, Allison began her career working with youth in different high needs neighborhoods and less-fortunate countries.  She was a mentor, an instructor, a supervisor, and director for several different programs.  As she worked with these young people and families, her desire to become an educator grew.  She searched for several programs that would help her as well as believing in same values as she did.  She wanted to be a part of a program that valued diversity and multicultural education.  She wanted to be in a program that "walked the walk", she felt immediately connected with TILA.

I learned how to be a great teacher.  I learned that I could have a voice in creating change.  The program allowed me to be a part of a picture in education and learn the necessary language and strategies to be effective.  The program was demanding and challenging and I have grown not only as an educator, but as a person. - Allison Gunnells, 2011 TILA Graduate