Biography
Allison Hughes, a native of Burleson, Texas, was inspired in 2005 to attend Ouachita
Baptist University. There, she sought to deepen her spiritual journey of loving God
and serving His people. Her passion for children, particularly in guiding, nurturing,
and teaching students, led her to pursue a degree in elementary education. Throughout
her studies in the School of Education, she acquired the knowledge, skills, and dispositions
necessary to be confident in her calling, wherever the Lord might lead. Upon graduating,
Mrs. Hughes moved to Waco, Texas, where she began her career as a kindergarten teacher
at La Vega Primary School. Her dedication and excellence in teaching earned her the
"Teacher of the Year" award for the 2011-2012 school year. In 2014, she was promoted
to the administrative team as an Instructional Facilitator. In this role, she supported
teachers by providing professional development, curriculum support, mentoring, and
coaching to enhance instructional practices. When Mrs. Hughes’ husband answered the
call to join the staff of First Baptist Church of Benton in 2017, her family relocated
to Arkansas. She was then invited to serve as the Assistant Director for the Mother’s
Day Out Program, a role that later expanded to include the Weekday Preschool Program.
This position allowed her to work part-time, balancing her professional experience
as a leader and educator with spending more time with her young children. In 2022,
Mrs. Hughes returned to OBU as a graduate student to pursue her master’s degree in
curriculum and instruction. This advanced education equipped her with the latest theories
and best practices in the art and science of teaching. Mrs. Hughes and her husband,
Galan, are members of First Baptist Church in Benton, AR. Blessed with two sons and
a daughter, they place a high priority on family, cherishing every opportunity to
spend quality time together.
Q&A
Why did you come to Ouachita?
After graduating from high school, Mrs. Hughes felt a strong calling to the Huckabee
School of Education at OBU, drawn by its intimate class sizes and the relational professors.
Nearly two decades later, she is honored to return to her cherished alma mater, committed
to building those same meaningful relationships with students as she prepares them
to serve the Lord with purpose and passion in the field of teaching.
Why did you decide to become a professor?
As an undergraduate at Ouachita, Mrs. Hughes had the privilege of learning from dedicated
professors who nurtured her passion for education and prepared her for a career as
an elementary school teacher. These relationships extended beyond the typical student-teacher
dynamic, as her professors became lifelong mentors with whom she remains in contact.
The faculty of the Huckabee School of Education foster a supportive and encouraging
environment where theory and practice merge to equip future educators. Mrs. Hughes
feels a profound calling to join a team that empowers and inspires educators of all
ages to refine their skills and serve students as they follow God’s call to teach.
Why is your subject an important one in our world?
Education aims to nurture the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual
development of every student. Research underscores that teachers are the most significant
influence on students' academic journeys. Teachers have the profound, God-given potential
to transform lives. However, certain regions in Arkansas are experiencing a critical
teacher shortage. It is crucial to ensure that we have well-trained, licensed, and
capable educators who promote students' academic growth and inspire a lifelong passion
for learning.
What do you want future students to know about your degree program?
As a Christian University, Ouachita has the unique ability to enable students to pursue
knowledge and skills in their disciplinary studies through a Biblical worldview. God
is the Master teacher, and there is so much we can learn from Him. No matter the age
or subject area you desire to teach, the Huckabee School of Education strives to grow
aspiring teachers who see themselves as difference makers in God’s Kingdom as they
serve their own students in their future classrooms.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Nothing brings Mrs. Hughes more joy and delight than spending time with her husband
and 3 children. Most of her free time is spent caring for her family and her home.
She loves shopping, watching reruns of 90s TV shows, and home decorating.
What has been a meaningful Bible verse or passage for you?
When I began my journey at Ouachita with the goal of becoming a teacher, I never imagined
anything but the elementary school classroom. But God had other plans. He has opened
doors in the field of education that I never envisioned. His path has led me from
classroom teacher to an instructional facilitator, an assistant director of a private
preschool, and now to a position as an instructor of education. Through it all, I
am continually reminded of Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
