Allison Wickman Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Allison Wickman Gonzalez M.Ed. is an experienced educator with 17 years in the field, currently serving as a K-5 Reading Specialist at The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia—a role she has held for seven years. In this position, she collaborates closely with classroom teachers to support struggling readers, provides targeted small-group reading interventions primarily in kindergarten and first grade, and delivers early interventions for students with diagnoses such as dyslexia or dysgraphia. Allison also maintains ongoing communication with families to ensure students receive the support they need, combining her expertise in The Science of Reading, Common Core State Standards, Responsive Classroom strategies, ESL instruction, and differentiated literacy practices to create meaningful, individualized learning experiences.
Allison’s career journey has been unique and deeply personal. She grew up attending a small Catholic school and initially considered a career in communications as a news broadcaster before pivoting to teaching—a choice driven by her passion for children and learning. Her first teaching role brought her full circle as she taught third grade in the same classroom she once occupied as a student. From there, Allison expanded her horizons internationally, teaching for five years at the American School of Madrid as both a classroom teacher and learning specialist, gaining insight into diverse educational approaches and deepening her love for mentoring students and guiding them in how to think, not what to think.
In addition to her classroom work, Allison contributes broadly to the educational community by presenting webinars and professional development sessions for fellow educators, both in-person and online. With a Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy Education K-12 from the University of South Florida, she has built a career that aligns with her dream of supporting young learners’ literacy growth and academic confidence. Her research, experience, and commitment to early literacy, intervention, and inclusive education have made her a trusted mentor, advocate, and leader in the field of elementary education.
• Orton-Gillingham training
• Special education certification
• Florida Gulf Coast University - BA, Elementary Education (K-6)
• University of South Florida - M.Ed Reading and Literacy K-12, Reading Teacher Education
• Leadership and Teaching Award at current school (2024)
• FGCU College of Education; Undergraduate Student of the Year (2009)
• Kappa Delta Pi - Education International Honors society
• Sigma Alpha Pi- National Society of Leadership and Success
• Delta Delta Delta sorority
• Kappa Delta Pi honor society in education
• St. Jude Children's Hospital through Delta Delta Delta
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say some of my past teachers, there are a few that stand out in my mind that have been true leaders and mentors for me and encouraged me to do what I've done in the field. One of my grad school professors taught in Japan, so that sparked my interest in going overseas. And then I had many teachers, well, a few teachers in my elementary school that I taught with when I came back to work at that school, so that was weird too because they were my colleagues instead of my teachers. Three mentors really stand out to me: my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Orsi, my undergrad professor Dr. Elliot, and my graduate school professor Dr. Leung, who really inspired me to pursue teaching internationally and develop my passion for education.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have two things from my dad that I live by. He would always ask me, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And I live by that every day of my life. I don't take on too much. I can take on what I can carry. And then the old saying of, you know, if you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life. So I feel like coming to school every day, I'm really excited to be here and be with my colleagues and the kids, and I don't feel like I'm coming to work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
This is a calling. And it is a career, not a job, and I think that the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. The more effort you put in as learning as much as you can, and exposing yourself to as much as you can in undergraduate and graduate will give you more of an advantage. Once they get into the field, they'll have some experience and kind of know what they're seeing and looking for when they start teaching. That's something that I didn't really have the opportunity to do a whole lot of, was be in the classroom before I actually started teaching. You know, volunteering in schools, being around kids, just being exposed, I think it's helpful.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I think sometimes may be disagreeing with administration, or seeing a need for support that I'm unable to give because there's a protocol that needs to be followed. Or possible difficult conversations with parents. They always turn out okay, but they're very uncomfortable. They can be. Those are the two main ones that stand out in my mind.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith is a big one. Belonging is another great one. And I'd say intellect as well. These are three of the five core values at my school, and those are three of the 5 that I feel like I truly live by.