Pattengill Teacher Allison Hansen Awarded Excellence in Education Award

Pattengill 5th grade teacher Allison Hansen has been named a recipient of the Excellence in Education Award from the Michigan Lottery, an honor that recognizes educators who make a lasting impact on their students and school communities.

Hansen says her passion for teaching began early. 

“When I was in kindergarten, I thought my teacher had the dream job,” she said. “She got to teach us with all of the cute little inflatable alphabet letter people.  We had a teeter totter in our classroom as well as a jungle gym.  I thought to myself that my teacher had the coolest job getting to play with kids all day.”

As Hansen continued through school at Ann Arbor Public Schools, she was inspired by many of her teachers.

“I specifically remember my 1st and 5th grade teacher, Mr. Weiler, as well as my 8th grade history teacher, Mr. Miekstyn, as being teachers that made learning so engaging.  As I grew up, I always wanted to follow in their footsteps and be a teacher who could make lasting impacts on my students.”

After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University, Hansen began her career in the Lansing School District in 2005 as a Spanish teacher at Dwight Rich School. Early in her career, she taught across multiple schools and programs, gaining experience at both the elementary and middle school levels. Along the way, she created unforgettable memories, including teaching the children of MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo and meeting Magic Johnson during a district visit.

While her teaching journey included several transitions, Hansen found her calling in 5th grade at Pattengill where she has now taught for more than a decade and describes it as her favorite. 

“I love getting to know my students outside of the classroom and hearing about what they are passionate about,” she said. “I love hands on learning and playing academic games in my classroom and seeing the students having fun learning and seeing the smiles on their faces.  I love doing the regular old worksheets with them and hearing them say “Now I get it!” and watching the lightbulb moments.  I love watching test scores rise and students being proud of their accomplishments.”

Hansen says some of her most meaningful experiences happen outside the classroom. From attending students’ extracurricular events or running into former students in the community. 

“When former students see me at the grocery store or movies and share their positive memories with me, that’s the best full-circle moment,” she says.

When she learned she received the Excellence in Education Award, Hansen said she was in total shock. That feeling turned to gratitude as messages poured in from family, colleagues, and students. 

“I was so happy that my nominator saw the hard work that I put in to my teaching,” she says. “When my family, colleagues, and students started to congratulate me, I may have had a few moments with misty eyes.  Being acknowledged and appreciated feels great.”

Hansens advice to other educators is simple.

“Have fun!  Being a teacher is a very hard job.  There are a lot of expectations put on you from many different directions.  If you cannot find a way to have fun teaching, it is going to be a hard job to maintain,” she says.

Congratulations Allison Hansen on this well-deserved honor!