Ms. Allen has been teaching in New York City schools for 25 years. During all 25 years of her teaching, she has been a language arts teacher. The 2024-25 school year is Ms Allen’s first year teaching at Pace.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Could you describe your job?

I come from a middle school in Brooklyn, where I’ve taught at one school for 24 years. I teach because it’s a calling. I believe that, it’s a calling. It’s not for everybody. Not every job or profession is for everyone. I wasn’t meant to be a doctor. I had initially wanted to be a physical therapist when I was in high school, but I realized science and math was not my thing.

Why do you teach?

I always spent time in the libraries. I’ve always loved to read and write, and that was really my true calling. Something navigated me to say, you know what, Felicia? I think, you know, teaching might be your thing. And the door opened, and I haven’t looked back since. And I love it.

How have your first days of teaching at Pace been?

I really love teaching. I love helping my community and students. I have worked here for three years for summer school, so this building is not new to me. I’ve been having a blast. I’ve been wanting to be a high school teacher. Believe it or not, I never meant to spend 24 years in middle school. I always planned to move from middle school to high school, so I’m finally here and I’m hoping I can stay here until I retire.

What do you think of the Pace of the students so far?

I find it interesting that this kind of school is situated in this space, and also in this part of the city in lower Manhattan, in an Asian community. The grading and the work is much faster paced, so that’s something I need to adapt to. Principal Glatz has been very supportive and helpful from the very beginning. I’ve been able to reach out to almost everybody, and they have been very supportive

What goals do you have in teaching this year? What are you hoping to accomplish ?

One thing I definitely want to work on here as a high school teacher is more writing. By the end of the semester, I’m going to have them assess me to say, what could I have done better? What was still lacking? I’m always open for room to grow. I don’t think because you have somebody who has 24 years experience that it means that I don’t need to learn more things. I’m always open to learning new things.

Have you thought of what you would do after teaching?

Yes. I plan on retiring within six years. My second career is art education. My previous school had a partnership with Brooklyn Museum. I worked closely with them and I’ve been with them ever since, for eight years now, and that opened my door to art.

Do you have any special hobbies or interests outside of school?

I’ve always been interested in art. I love to look at art. I love to appreciate art. So I want to get my associate’s or bachelor’s in art education and try to work with either the Brooklyn Museum or other museums to bridge the gap between schools and museums. I love going to museums. especially looking at museums that have black art or African American art or African art. I also love just traveling. I’ve just got the traveling bug.