Susky Welcomes Alison Altemose

Alison Altemose is taking on the challenges of a first-year teacher as the new addition to the high school’s math department.

Throughout her education, the York College of Pennsylvania alumni has always imagined herself teaching her passions, Algebra I and Geometry, and this year, that dream is coming true.

“I always knew that I would be teaching this content area, as I enjoyed it myself throughout my schooling,” said Altemose. “It was a subject that always came very easily to me as well as challenged me, and I wanted to spread my passion and knowledge for the subject to others.”

Altemose fulfilled 4 years of education beyond high school, where she excelled in her academics and extracurriculars. 

“For high school, I went to Central Bucks High School South where I earned an honors diploma,” said Altemose. “For college, I went to York College of Pennsylvania where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education- Mathematics.”

She was the third member of her family to attend YCP, following in the footsteps of her mother, father and her aunt, which provided her with many opportunities.

“Some of my accomplishments include being able to speak at our school conference, ChangeCon, as well as speaking for 4 consecutive years at Legacy day,” said Altemose. “I was provided this opportunity due to being a triple legacy [at the college].”

Altemose explains that following her dream has led her to various involvements and leadership roles along the way.

“At York College, I was involved in too much for my own good,” said Altemose. “I was the student senate president, a member of the Phi Sigma Pi honors fraternity, an education ambassador, a member of the campus activities board, an orientation leader, a first-year seminar fellow and a member of the campaign cabinet.”

Altemose remarks that the high school’s reputation is what made this career opportunity right for her.

“I chose to work at SHS due to the environment that it creates and all of the positives that I have heard through other staff and faculty throughout the years,” said Altemose. “I spoke with retired teachers, current teachers and alumni of the high school before going through with the interview process and all everyone had to say was how great their experience was.”

Despite being a first-year full-time teacher, Altemose has had her share of experience along the way through York College’s teacher placement program.

“When being in the education program at YCP, we had the opportunity to be placed out in schools as early as our freshman year,” said Altemose. “Each year, I was placed in a new school up until my student teaching semester. I was placed at Conewago Valley Intermediate School, Central York High School, York County School of Technology and York Suburban Middle School.”

Of course, Altemose has passions outside of school as well, hers being art.

“Something interesting about me is that my other passion is hand lettering and calligraphy,” said Altemose. “I have so many different styles of hand lettering pens and often think about starting my own small business using this skill.”

With a good start to the year so far, Altemose hopes to ignite academic passions in students and keep her classroom a supportive and engaging place.

“My goal for this year is to provide a safe space for all my students as well as encourage them to grow and succeed as much as they can,” said Altemose. “There is so much to learn and experience in our lives that I think it is important to take in everything we can while it is right in front of us in order to become our true and most authentic selves.”

She also is looking forward to becoming involved in the school community.

“I would like to be involved with the yearbook and/or student council based on my previous experience,” said Altemose. “In high school, I was a part of the yearbook for 2 years [and] my student council experience comes from college where I was involved in the student senate for 4 years and became president during my senior year.”

Altemose leaves students with one final piece of advice.