Ashley Gerald Allen teaches environmental science (eleventh grade), earth, space, and marine science (twelfth grade), and physical science (eighth grade) at Oneonta High School in Oneonta, AL. He has been in his current position for 10 years. He sponsors the Science Bowl Team and other academic competitions, and has overseen Expo, the school publication.
Mr. Allen’s knowledge and expertise are respected by teachers and administrators alike. He makes learning interesting for students; students develop a love of science and pursue college degrees in science fields as a result. His interest and membership in the Alabama Paleontological Society has had a positive impact on his students, as he uses fossils and other materials in the classroom and takes students on fossil hunting trips. When a student told him that his grandmother owned a coal mine, he investigated it and discovered it was a fossil “track” site. Mr. Allen called attention to the mine and he and fellow Paleontological Society members studied its contents and published the results in a monograph. The mine is now under the protection of the State’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Mr. Allen was named the Outstanding Earth Science Teacher for Alabama and was awarded the University of West Alabama National Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award for the School of Natural Science and Mathematics.
Mr. Allen holds a certification in biology and general science. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of West Alabama.