Allison Carmichael, Assistant Principal

Hello! I am Allison Carmichael, the Dean of Students at Highland Junior High. 

When I left Chicago to live in the wild west of Arizona, I promised my mom I would be back within 5 years; that was over 20 years ago. I fell in love with my husband, Nick, and we both fell in love with the lifestyle of the desert and so we have stayed. We have settled in Gilbert raising our three busy and wonderful children who attend Gilbert Public Schools: Carter 15, Mae 13, and Josie 10.   

After graduating with my bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University in 2001, I was eager to take a teaching position in Tempe, Arizona in an eighth-grade English classroom. After teaching there for two years, I moved to the neighboring high school, McClintock, where I could coach. I earned my secondary education certificate and was hired as an English teacher. Eight years later I moved into my first administrative job at Williams Field High School in the Higley district as an Assistant Principal. I worked to create a strong student culture and build tradition within the student body at Williams Field High School. Then, in 2016, I was excited to accept my first principalship in the Queen Creek district where I worked until 2021.  

I am an avid learner. I enjoy reading professionally and recreationally. My family can most likely be found hiking and enjoying the beauty of Arizona on the weekends living in the “sunshine and drinking in the wild air” as Emerson wrote. I am proud to join the HJHS community and will honor the commitment to Everyone, Every Day!