Judy Allen, at 80 years plus, is still working hard to educate kids (Photo courtesy of The Learning Tree).
In the spring of 1968, Judy Allen started a preschool for young children in East Dallas called The Learning Tree. Fifty years later, it is still educating generations of children about the value of diversity.
“Miss Judy,” as she is known, focused the school on cultural awareness, leaning on her background working and teaching in Russian and Lithuanian schools. Today, the school celebrates cultural awareness in a number of activities.
The Learning Tree has been through a number of locations in East Dallas. It is now housed in an old church in Little Forest Hills. The sanctuary is now a performance hall, the gym is often an art gallery and the music room is still a music room.
At the peak of civil rights battles, Allen thought it was important to start a school that embraced diversity. Years later, with Earldene McNeil and Velma Schmidt, she published a “Cultural Awareness for Children,” a book of resources that guides teachers and is used in universities around the world to train educators.
The Learning Tree is a multi-generational effort. Judy’s daughter Dandi Weiss and granddaughter Nikki Weiss also teach at the school. In addition, The Learning Tree employs several parents of students who were once students, reflecting the school’s commitment to families.
The school performs Russian plays, organizes an African Market, celebrates Chinese New Year and incorporates holiday celebrations and folklore from around the world. Nikki, who attended the school as a child, relishes the chance to teach the same curriculum. “I remember things from when I was little and then I get to teach it,” she says. “I don’t think I would have it any other way. It’s such a rewarding experience.”
The three generations of teachers at the school love to see their students return to work during summer camps or bring their children as students. They are flooded with graduation announcements and get great satisfaction out of seeing their former students grow up. “Our love of teaching makes children love learning,” Brandi says.
In today’s contentious world, celebrating Russian culture might seem controversial, but Judy is steadfast in her commitment to treat every culture with respect. “When parents see what they learn about a culture, all of that anger goes away,” she says. “They see the beauty of it.”
On April 27, the school will celebrate 50 years with an auction party benefitting the school, the Orphan Outreach Program and the Kristy Hargrave Scholarship Fund. The night will include a casino, live music, dinner and auction.
