New Central teacher isn't typical reading instructor
Randa Allen is pageant winner, cancer survivor and American Cancer Society spokeswoman
Allen, who is a cancer survivor and a former Mrs. Illinois International, officially joined the Central School teaching staff on Aug. 11 when the board approved her hiring as a replacement for a last-minute resignation.
While teaching is her profession, she also is strongly committed to helping cancer patients combat the disease with dignity."I became a volunteer for a group called Look Good, Feel Better a number of years ago," said Allen, who not only has degrees in elementary education and education for the hearing impaired, but is also a licensed cosmetologist. "It stresses beating cancer beautifully. When I got involved with Look Good, Feel Better, I didn't know that I would be a cancer victim myself. I have to admit, that experience gave me a new perspective on things."
Allen is a group leader for the Look Good, Feel Better program.
Allen, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and has been cancer-free for the past 2 1/2 years, has been featured on "Show Me St. Louis" and has been the keynote speaker at several events sponsored by the American Cancer Society. She has also been recognized by the city of O'Fallon as an outstanding citizen.
Allen made her advocacy of Look Good, Feel Better a major component of her Mrs. Illinois run in 2007.
"I talked about what a huge support group it is during the pageant," she said. "Look Good, Feel Better has helped 370,000 women. However, compared to the national statistics for women with cancer, that means that only one in 13 women know this program exists."
Allen continues to be an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society. On Oct. 4 she will take part in the Making Strides Against Cancer walk at Southwestern Illinois College. She will walk in the event as part of a group called the Illinois Beauty Queens.
As for her decision to compete in the Mrs. Illinois pageant, she said it seemed like a natural thing to do.
"I've been involved with pageants most of life," she said. "When I was younger, I took part in them to earn scholarship money. When it came to the Mrs. Illinois competition, I was surprised to find out that something like that even existed. At the time, I was helping a number of girls prepare for pageants of their own and I was encouraged to do the Mrs. Illinois."
Not only did Allen win the 2007 Mrs. Illinois competition, she advanced to the Mrs. International Competition and finished in the top 10.
According to its Web site, the Mrs. International pageant is dedicated to promoting the accomplishments and commitments of today's married women. It is open to women between the ages of 21 and 56 who have been married for at least six months.
Randa will be the Response to Intervention instructor at Central, a program that is designed to identify potential reading difficulties in children at an early age and correct them before they become a serious detriment to learning.
"She comes very highly recommended and is known as a hard worker," said Cassie Shelton, the director of special education for Central School District 104. "Besides her regular teaching experiences, she also has experience working with the hearing impaired. She moved back into the area last school year and did some student teaching at Cahokia."
"I'm so excited about finding a full-time teaching position in the area," said Allen, who is originally from Belleville.
