Colette Allen

“My name is Colette Allen and I graduated from the Franciscan University Education Department in the Spring of 2024 with a concentration in Middle. In the fall, I will be serving as a missionary at Mar Qardakh International School in Erbil, Iraq. There, I will be teaching primary school religion through the St. Thomas Mission program.”

“One of the greatest takeaways from my classes in the Education department that will serve me and my future students is the idea that each child is a person with God-given dignity and that we should treat them as such. The relationships I was given the opportunity to form through my field and student teaching experiences have taught me the importance of encountering each student as we would Christ.”

“During my time at Franciscan, I ministered to young girls through Girls’ GIFT (Girls Growing in Faith, Fellowship, and Friendship) alongside Dr. Reister and my peers to foster encounters with Jesus and to teach them about their worth and value in the eyes of their Heavenly Father. This ministry sparked a passion in my heart for teaching the faith to our youth; they have taught me what it means to live out our call to childlike joy!”

“The mentorship of my education professors has equipped me with the knowledge and skills I need to build the kingdom of God among the littlest of His children. I am immensely grateful for the formation that I have received at Franciscan University!”