BY ALISON BOGLE AND PHOTOS BY ARYA SHARMA, A STUDENT IN MS. STRELITZ CLASS.
After graduating from Texas A&M University with a journalism degree, Alison Strelitz began her career at Texas Monthly Magazine and the Austin Business Journal, but quickly realized that she wanted to teach journalism. “I was lucky to end up at Westlake High School for my student teaching where I learned from the best. I don’t think I would teach anywhere else – the administration, staff, and students are amazing!” said Alison.
Teaching happens to be in Alison’s blood. Her grandmother began her teaching career at the age of twenty, teaching in a two-room schoolhouse in Missouri. “I recently came across her first teaching contract from
1934. She earned only $50 a month!
Public education has always been near and dear to my heart, and I am so happy to continue in the profession that my grandmother started in so long ago,” shared Alison. “I have always been passionate about journalism and photography and I really love sharing that passion with my students.”
Alison is also a resident of Lost Creek, having moved to the neighborhood in 2007 with her husband, Peter. She took a break from teaching when her twin sons were born and later returned to the profession in 2016. She is currently in her ninth year of teaching at Westlake where she serves as yearbook adviser as well as Westlake’s Photojournalism and Art II Photography teacher. Peter and Alison’s boys, Jake and Miles, are now with her on campus as sophomores.
“Without a doubt, the best part of my job is working with my students. They are creative, energetic, hardworking, and they inspire me every day. I often have students in my class multiple years during their high school career. Watching them grow as people and become leaders in and out of the classroom is one of the best things I have experienced.
And I love that we have a working darkroom at Westlake High School, so I get to teach film photography in my Photojournalism and Art II Photography classes,” said Alison.
“I would love for Stroll readers to know that the yearbook and photography program is such a treasure at Westlake!” enthused Alison. “We work hard and have fun. Journalism students travel to participate in national high school journalism conventions, where the students compete, collaborate, and learn. The skills they develop prepare them for their next phase – no matter what that is. It is a unique program!”
Kate Slaughter
