Growing up, Allison Samson babysat a neighbor on the autism spectrum and found that she loved spending time with her. That relationship helped inspire her to become a special education teacher. Today, she brings that same care to her work at Bancroft, helping students build skills, develop independence, and find opportunities to participate in their communities.
Allison comes from a family of educators, but she is the first to pursue special education. While earning her degree in Early Childhood and Special Education at Saint Joseph’s University, she spent four years working at the university’s Center for Autism. By the time she graduated, she knew she had found her calling.
She began her teaching career at a similar school in Pennsylvania before moving to New Jersey and joining Bancroft.
Making a Difference Beyond the Classroom
One of the things Allison values most about teaching at Bancroft is the opportunity to be involved in so many aspects of her students’ lives.
“We are able to make a lasting impact and build meaningful relationships with our kids that continue throughout their time with us,” she says.
Beyond academics, her classroom focuses on functional academics and daily living skills that help prepare students for life after age 21. Over the past few years, she has helped students reach milestones including household chores and hygiene, and reducing their need for one-to-one support, giving them greater independence throughout their day.
That progress has also helped students take part in activities outside the classroom. Many hadn’t been able to go on community outings for several years because of behavioral challenges. Last year, with support from Allison and her team, they participated in five successful trips.
“Seeing my students successfully engage in the community was an incredibly rewarding experience, not only for me, but for my staff as well,” she says. “It allowed us to see how our hard work directly created opportunities that had not previously been accessible to our students.”
Preparing for What’s Next
Preparing students for life beyond school takes a dynamic team and Allison takes pride in developing strong relationships with her staff to build a positive classroom culture. That shared investment helps everyone work toward the same goal: supporting students in ways that make a meaningful difference in their daily lives.
A favorite part of her job is watching students participate in their internships through Bancroft’s vocational program, through which many of the students have discovered their interests and strengths.
“While the work is challenging, it is also deeply rewarding,” she says
Growing Along the Way
Allison has also had opportunities to continue learning at Bancroft. She used Bancroft’s tuition reimbursement program to help pay for her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) coursework. The program covered more than half of her courses, helping her continue her professional development without taking on additional debt.
When she talks with people who are considering a teaching position at Bancroft, Allison emphasizes the support she receives from her colleagues.
“We are fortunate to work alongside dedicated educators who support one another and contribute to a community that truly values and uplifts its members.”
Teaching at Bancroft means working as part of a team, building relationships with students, and helping them develop skills they can carry into everyday life. Though the work can be challenging, seeing students’ progress makes it worthwhile, whether that means a new daily living skill, a successful community outing or an internship that helps a student discover a career interest.
For educators looking for work that combines teaching, teamwork and the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives, Bancroft offers a place to put those skills into practice every day for lasting impact.