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| Principal Jeff Allen “photobombs” a picture of some students at St. Bernard School in Watertown at the start of the 2014 to 2015 school year. It was the first day of his last year as principal at St. Bernard School, where he has served as principal for 34 years. (Photo by Maria Gracia) |
WATERTOWN — You might have seen him doing playground duty . . . or dressed as the Cookie Monster . . . or directing a musical production . . . or working with the Camera Club.
As a Catholic school principal, Jeff Allen hasn’t sat in his office all day. “I spend a lot of time with kids,” said Allen in an interview as he retires from 40 years spent in Catholic education.
For the past 34 years, he has been principal at St. Bernard School in Watertown. Prior to that, he taught at St. Coletta School in Jefferson for six years.
A retirement party will be held on Sunday, June 7, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. in the St. Bernard School gymnasium, 111 S. Montgomery St. All are invited to attend and wish Allen well as he begins a new phase of his life.
Much of Allen’s life has been dedicated to Catholic education. The oldest of seven children born to Shirley and Don Allen, Jeff Allen attended St. Agnes Grade School in Butler.
He graduated from Brookfield East High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he majored in special education.
Started at St. Coletta
After graduation, he started teaching at St. Coletta School, which served students with developmental disabilities.
Sr. Sheila Haskett, the school administrator, encouraged Allen to consider a career in school administration. He attended UW-Whitewater while he was teaching and earned a master’s degree in school administration.
Allen took a class from St. Coletta to attend a play at St. Bernard School in Watertown. “It was my first time in Watertown. They performed a play called The Wizard That Wasn’t.”
Allen found a copy of that play and on June 1, the second grade class at St. Bernard School presented The Wizard That Wasn’t to the whole school. Allen helped the second grade teacher, Samantha Sanders, direct the play.
Since becoming principal at St. Bernard School in 1981, directing Christmas plays and talent shows has been one of Allen’s many activities.
Although he has been a full-time principal, Allen has enjoyed continuing to work with students.
Involved with students
Photography is one of Allen’s hobbies, so he organized a Camera Club at St. Bernard School.
“One of our first photo assignments was taking pictures in a local park,” he recalled. “It’s fun to combine some of my hobbies with my work with the students. I’ve appreciated the freedom to be with kids and not sit in the office all day,” he said.
He is proud that the enrollment has remained steady throughout his years at St. Bernard. Conscious of meeting the needs of working families, the school started a full-time daycare 20 years ago. It was also one of the first to have a three-year-old preschool and 4K program.
“I’ve always tried to be family-friendly,” he said. He started the Rainbows for All God’s Children program at the school, which provides support for children whose parents are divorced, separated, or deceased.
Jeff also appreciates the support he received from parish priests and from the diocesan Office of Schools, especially in keeping pace with changes in technology.
All in the family
He also started a forensics program, based on information he received from his mother, Shirley, who was also a Catholic school principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Milwaukee (now retired).
Jeff Allen actually became a principal before his mother did. “When I first started out as a principal, I relied on Jeff’s advice a lot,” said Shirley. “I would ask him how he handled things. It was invaluable support for me.”
Later, Jeff got help from his mother. She provided him with materials on kindergartens and school evaluation used in the Milwaukee area.
The Allens believe the religious dimension in Catholic schools makes them special. They also like the sense of teamwork — teachers, parents, students, and parishioners all working together in Catholic schools.
Retirement plans
Speaking of family, Jeff Allen met his wife Vicki at St. Coletta School. They were married 36 years ago by Fr. Roger Taylor, chaplain at the school. Vicki is also retiring from 32 years in teaching.
The Allens have two children and one grandchild. “We’re looking forward to seeing them more often,” said Jeff.
He and his wife bought a “retro RV” and plan to “hit the road” after their retirement.
Jeff isn’t sure what else he will do after he retires, but he wants to stay connected with children and families.
In looking ahead, he said, “I’m so impressed with kids today. I have an optimistic attitude about the future.
“I feel so blessed to have done what I have been meant to do. God has directed my life and I’m so grateful.”