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Joana Allen

“We really care for the students personally, and that’s very unique,” Mrs. Allen said. “We’re here because we believe in the students. There is an atmosphere of caring for each other, for the students, and for their families.” This is what she said keeps her coming back year after year, how the faculty and staff are not perfect, but they’re truly attempting to live out Christian charity in a profound way.

When Mrs. Joana Allen first came in contact with Opus Dei in the 1970’s, she had no idea that the preparation and guidance she would receive through it (St. Josemaria identified five aspects of the formation offered by Opus Dei: human, spiritual, doctrinal-religious, apostolic and professional) over the next four decades would one day allow her to share her love of theology with students as a theology Master Teacher.  

Originally from Lisbon, Portugal, Mrs. Allen studied at the Escola de Reabilitaco de Alcoitao and worked as an occupational therapist in schools throughout Portugal, England, and the United States. She worked alongside Allyson Adrian in creating the new Guan series, Learning Spanish with Francois Guan and Charlotte Mason, Volumes I and II. 

Mrs. Allen homeschooled her four daughters before they each came to Oakcrest (Mia ’13, Rosemary ’16, Grace ’18, and Nina ’20). As an Oakcrest mother, Mrs. Allen was fascinated by how the teachers built relationships with her daughters. “They made me a much better mother,” she said. “The way they spoke about my daughters was so positive and inspiring.” 

She joined the Oakcrest faculty in 2013 when her youngest daughter was in the sixth grade, and she saw firsthand the genuine depth of the teacher/student relationship at Oakcrest. 

“We really care for the students personally, and that’s very unique,” she said. “We’re here because we believe in the students. There is an atmosphere of caring for each other, for the students, and for their families.” This is what she said keeps her coming back year after year, how the faculty and staff are not perfect, but they’re truly attempting to live out Christian charity in a profound way. 

“I did not expect that I would like it so much,” she said. “I love what I teach, I love my colleagues.” 

Mrs. Allen is currently working on a Master of Arts in theology from the Augustine Institute. 

As for what sets Oakcrest students apart, Mrs. Allen said she believes the single-sex education allows the students to learn to be themselves in the classroom without so many distractions, and that Oakcrest truly helps them know how deeply they are cared for. "They know that there are several adults around them who understand and can lend an ear,” she said. 

Just as she saw in her daughters’ Oakcrest experience, Mrs. Allen said that the Oakcrest education is very well-rounded, providing students with depth and breadth in both the letters and the sciences. The school culture allows each student to take ownership over her studies and embrace the responsibility that they have for her own education.  

Looking forward to the upcoming year, Mrs. Allen said she can’t wait for the new McGowan Family Athletic Center, adding a great completing piece to the Oakcrest experience. 
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