Allison Oakes

Background

About Allison Oakes

In 1981 Center City Philadelphia, attending our neighborhood public school was out of the question for my parents. Though both Jewish, neither were ritualistic and themselves grew up at a time that assimilation into the American culture was key. It was quite by accident that they chose Jewish education and that choice made me the Jewish woman I am today. Fast forward fifteen years and much to my mom's disappointment, I did not pursue medicine, I chose my passion for education. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's and Master's in education and taught middle grade science in New York City, Miami, and Palm Beach County Florida (I also taught American History for a couple of years). My very first principal encouraged me to go into leadership and when it was time to make that transition, my heartstrings tugged and pulled me back to Jewish education, where I have been since. Serving the Jewish communal world is not always the easiest task, but it is tremendously gratifying. I have served Jewish day schools as Head of School since 2007.