Spotlight on Teaching: Allison Honeycutt

After graduating from Maharishi University of Management in 2008 with a Masters in Teaching and a certification in K-12 Art, Allison Honeycutt is about to start her third year of teaching Pre-K and Elementary Art at Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment in Fairfield, Iowa.

Allison graduated high school from Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment (MSAE), studied art at Maharishi University of Management for two years, and then went on to graduate from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

I love working at MSAE because it is like a family there, everyone supports everyone else, the teacher and kids are GREAT and it is really interesting to teach at the school that I attended as a child. I have learned so much about people working with kids. When kids try to get away with something they do EXACTLY how adults do it, just with less craft and guile. They also respond to the same types of support and encouragement.

In addition to teaching, Allison continues to make and show her own art work. She has a show coming up in Fairfield this Winter, stay tuned…

A few of her favorite things, in her own words

Most memorable MUM class: Ethno-botany. I LOVED that class! I had to take it in order to fulfill my science requirement for my Masters in Teaching/ my teaching certificate. It is the only class I have ever taken that I kept the text book from, because I found it so interesting. We learned about how food effects and shapes cultures, and it was amazing to see the way people can adapt and work in harmony with the natural environment. We concluded the course with a huge feast that we cooked ourselves. We used authentic recipes from dozens of cultures all over the world.

A note about the professors: I have to say that I really enjoyed my art faculty at MUM; they are solid.

Art student and professor

The best thing about MUM: I like MUM because it is a school that lets you take care of yourself. They don’t expect you to compromise your health and well being for your grades. They are also very flexible when it comes to creating a class around a student need. I also enjoy the small size of the school, you have more personal relationships with peers and teachers, you don’t get lost in the crowd.

Allison’s parting advice to current and future MUM students: MUM is unique enjoy it for what it is. Don’t try to change it too much, there are plenty of places that are not MUM, but just one place that is. If there is something you don’t like, don’t be part of it. Nobody is forcing you to be anything, be yourself and don’t worry about it.

Anna Bruen is a MUM alumnus who graduated with a degree in Sustainable Living. Anna is the resident blogger here at MUM. To learn more about Anna take a look at her introduction post.