Early Childhood Teacher Focuses on Relationships with Students, Family

A teacher who makes house calls has been named the Rockwood School District Early Childhood Teacher of the Year.

"It’s such an honor, and it’s nice to know that my hard work is recognized by others," Allison Deppeler said of the award.

After earning her master’s degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, Deppeler taught at a private preschool. She learned about the early childhood program at Rockwood and was encouraged by her peers to seek a position. She applied and was hired seven years ago. Though Early Childhood Education Department has a location in Chesterfield at the Clarkson Valley Early Childhood Center, Deppeler spends most of her time at , where she is a special education preschool teacher.

In the morning, Deppeler teaches nine students, some of whom have special needs. In the afternoon, the class consists of up to six children who benefit from the one-on-one education of an intensive therapy classroom. Deppeler, therapists and para-educators work as a team to create learning activities that help each special needs student.

"We stay focused on the strengths of the student. I believe any child can make progress, even if it takes longer than we’d like. So, we just stay focused, and when progress is made, that can be very encouraging," Deppeler said.

"Allison effectively manages the therapists and other educators who work with her students, as she is the instructional leader of the classroom. She is considered a resource for the whole special education department," said Michael Barla, director of Early Childhood Education. “She has many strengths as an educator, one of which is her exceptional ability to forge relationships with the students and their families.

Deppeler agrees that building relationships is an important part of her job as an early childhood special educator. Student-to-teacher ratios are low, and many students remain in her classroom for several years. This allows her to develop close relationships with students and their families.

"Parents of special needs children have questions as well as ideas about the education of their children. It’s beneficial to the student’s learning for me to accept and utilize the input of the family," Deppeler said. "I often visit families in the home. I learn from what I observe there and often parents are receptive to ideas that can assist them with their child at home."   

In addition to her teaching, Deppeler is a member of the Professional Development Committee for Early Childhood Education and was instrumental in the development of Rockwood's early childhood curriculum.