For Kelly Allison, Kickapoo High School is home.
He graduated from Kickapoo, after being raised by a mother and grandmother who were both teachers. He had great experiences as a student at Kickapoo, and when he entered college, he decided he wanted to be an educator.
“My dream was to be the head football coach at Kickapoo High School,” he says. “And I had a passion for teaching and coaching football, and I was lucky to get the job I did.”
31 years ago, Allison began his career teaching physical education and serving as an assistant football coach at Parkview High School. He coached the Vikings for two years before moving to Jarrett Middle School, where he taught P.E. and health, while serving as the school’s assistant football coach. There, a seasoned principal encouraged him to get his specialist’s degree and become an administrator.
“I wanted to pursue coaching at the college level, but it didn’t work out,” he says. “And being an administrator is, in many ways, like being a coach. So I was attracted to the responsibility and leadership opportunities that came with building administration, so I changed directions and haven’t looked back.”
Allison served as the assistant principal at Carver Middle School for two years and Pershing Middle School for three years. Then, he was appointed principal at Hickory Hills Middle School, serving the Spartans for 14 years. But five years ago, he got offered the opportunity to come home to Kickapoo.
“When I walked through those doors every day, it feels like home,” he says. “And my passion for this school comes from my focus on relationships. I want to empower my staff to take risks by encouraging and supporting them. Every day, I’m trying to create an environment that is No. 1 for kids and then for teachers, giving them the space they need to take risks and be innovative.”
At Kickapoo High School, Allison works with four assistant principals, who he collaborates with daily. His primary goal each day is to maintain and evaluate processes campuswide to ensure that students are receiving excellent learning experiences. During his five years at Kickapoo, he’s also helped shape Kickpaoo U, a college and career readiness initiative that encourages students to learn and grow outside of the school day.
“We offer more than 55 clubs here at Kickapoo, and there’s something really for every interest,” he says. “The key is to get every kid connected some how, some way, to something they’re interested in. For me, it was sports, but there are dozens of academic or extracurricular activities for students to choose from. The students who are more connected are more invested here at school, and that reflects in their learning.”
For Allison, he’s more invested in Kickapoo than ever, and is grateful to be able to continue serving his alma mater, its students and its families.
“I feel a sense of community and connection here at Kickapoo,” he says. “I value the feedback and relationships I have with these families, some I’ve known for years. The people, the kids, they give me a really good connection to be here. It’s been a dream to serve as a principal of a school this size, but it’s extra special to still have this opportunity at Kickapoo. I still feel 25, I love what I’m doing, and I’ve got the energy level to keep on keeping on.”
Allison received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Missouri State University. He went on to earn a master’s in athletic administration from the University of Missouri and a specialist’s degree in educational administration, secondary, from Missouri State University. He is married to Paula, and together, they have three Kickapoo graduates: daughters Ashtyn, Kellyn and Lauryn.