Staff Spotlight: Allison Prell

Allison recently joined the TechChange team as a Senior Instructional Designer, where she creates boutique blended and eLearning experiences. A former classroom educator, Allison comes to TechChange from George Washington University where she earned a Masters in Education.

Q: So, tell us more about yourself. How did you end up working in education? 

After graduating, I began coaching volleyball at my old high school while waiting to hear back from a few job opportunities. I loved it so much, I turned down the job and enrolled in a Master’s of Ed program with GW.

Q: How did you first hear about TechChange?

Through Austin! She is also a William & Mary alumna. I was looking to transition out of the classroom and we grabbed coffee so I could learn more about Instructional Design and fell in love. The rest, as they say, is history.

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of working at TechChange so far?

Untimed bathroom breaks. Such a luxury! I used to have to hold it for 3+ hours at a time, and if I had time between classes I had less than 5 mins to do my business. That and the windows (my classroom didn’t have any). It sounds silly, but I’ve come to not take them for granted anymore.

Q: What excites you about this role?

I’m eager to utilize my background in education in a tech sphere. I’ve become increasingly interested in the intersection of education and technology, especially as it relates to learners. So Instructional Design is a perfect fit.

Q: Anything you look forward to working on or learning at TechChange in the next year?

In my first year at TechChange, I’m excited to collaborate on the plethora of projects. From my introduction to just a few, they cover a variety of topics, so it seems I’ll continue to be a life-long learner. 

Q: Lastly, what’s something that not a lot of people know about you?

I’ve been playing volleyball for over a decade.