Allison is a success in the educational field and had her humble beginnings at Marana High School.  As Allison Penprase in Beth Cirzan’s English class, she bypassed taking handouts for financial aid following a discussion of college, believing college was not an option for her.  With Ms. Cirzan’s encouragement, Allison reconsidered, took and completed the forms, setting her adventure of a lifetime of advanced learning in motion.

Allison started her educational journey by earning a BA in Chemistry at The University of Arizona.  She became a chemistry and math teacher at Marana High School, coming back to serve the community that served her.  As a teacher, she was innovative, implementing interdisciplinary teams.  Allison was recognized as a Top 10 Teacher for The University of Arizona Teacher of the Year Award.

While teaching and raising a family, Allison earned her Master’s in Educational Psychology and became an assistant principal at MHS for four years, also earning her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.  Allison continued her Marana legacy for four more years as the principal at Marana High School where she developed a caring collaborative community.

Since leaving Marana, Allison has pursued further leadership opportunities serving three years as Executive Director of School Leadership in Littleton Elementary School District in Arizona, where her team was recognized in a national education publication.  After moving to California, Allison served a little under a year as Director of Educational Services in the Montebello District.

Currently, Allison is Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in the Montebello District.  From her humble beginnings to her impressive accomplishments, Dr. Garland, or as many of us remember her, Dr. Murphy, is a shining example for many in the Marana District.