The Unlimited Learning Center will hold an open house on Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide information on education programs and to honor longtime teacher Audrey Allmon.
Allmon has been teaching for 73 years, including for 25 years at the Unlimited Learning Center and more than 40 years at the Battle Rock School in McElmo Canyon.
She will celebrate her 90th birthday this month. Friends and former students are encouraged to attend and visit with Allmon. Chili, cake and refreshments will be served.
Allmon is one of the most well-known teachers in the county. She’s taught generations of students and continues to teach GED classes every week at the Learning Center.
“I’ve taught the children of former students many times over,” Allmon says. “I never tire of teaching. It is such a pleasure to see students succeed.”
Her secret to effective teaching is “unlimited patience” and letting the students be part of creating the lessons.
“Students feel very comfortable and safe with Audrey. She is very caring and listens to them. She fosters mutual respect,” said Ann Miller, director at the Learning Center.
Allmon also has a knack for reaching those who are struggling or angry, guiding them toward better times through education.
“I win people over. Sometimes before my lessons, I can sense a student just wants to talk about difficulties in their lives. We work on that for a half-hour, then get busy with learning,” she said.
The biggest change she’s seen is technology and reliance on the internet for research. While a great tool, Allmon says the internet needs to be balanced with hands-on projects that help students learn together on how to solve problems, build something useful or artistic, run a small business or grow food in a garden.
Another change she has noticed is that parents are less involved in their children’s schooling. Having parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles show up in the classroom to support kids used to be more common, she said.
“The sense of community is stronger that way. You know, when family is involved in the classroom, you can see how it creates a very positive effect for the kids,” she said.
Allmon plans to continue teaching at the center, where she is part educator, part counselor, part community grandmother.
“What keeps me going is faith in God and people,” she said.
The Unlimited Learning Center offers courses and certification for medical careers, GED courses and testing, life skills instruction, basic computer training and English as a second language classes. The center also offers college courses through Utah State University via livestreaming classrooms at the center.
The Learning Center is at 640 E. Second St. and can be reached at 970-565-1601.
