The Allan Sisters - '14 & '19

Contributed By Sofia Horwitz, Communications Intern

“It’s not very often that you find your kindergarten teacher having coffee with your mom in your living room on a random Wednesday night,” says Ellie Allan, an alumna of District 21. For sisters Ellie and Zoey Allan, the connection to CCSD21 runs deep and it’s still going strong today. Both sisters attended Field Elementary and London Middle School before taking different paths in high school and college. Zoey pursued music performance, graduating from Elmhurst University in 2018. Her love for music became a career, teaching piano and strings to young students including some also enrolled in District 21.

Ellie, on the other hand, started on a political science track at Roosevelt, but COVID shifted her perspective. She transferred to Harper College and explored a new interest in cannabis science and therapeutics. Despite their different paths, the sisters ultimately found themselves working side by side at Guardian Travel Group. A company created by teachers, for teachers. “Many of our coworkers are former teachers,” Zoey shares. “They offer great insight, and we learn so much from them every day.”

Some might raise an eyebrow at the idea of sisters not only working together but sharing a home office but for Ellie and Zoey, it works. “It’s like having another copy of your brain right there,” Zoey explains. While sibling disagreements happen occasionally, they make a strong team.

“One thing I love about working with her is that we both want to be the people having the most fun in the room,” Zoey says. They don’t see projects as stressful, but as exciting challenges they get to tackle together.

This summer, the sisters are co-leading a European trip for the All Stars Music Program, a performance tour that allows nominated students to participate in mass band, choir, and orchestra performances conducted by collegiate-level professionals. Not only will this be Ellie’s first time in Europe, but she also helped plan the entire trip, an accomplishment Zoey proudly calls a “huge girl boss move.”

When it comes to balancing work and home life, they’ve found a rhythm that works. “We do it this way on purpose,” Zoey says. “We love being adult roommates and coworkers, but at the end of the day, we’re reminded regularly that 6pm is the work cut-off.” That boundary allows them to reconnect as a family after a busy day.

The Allans’ connection to District 21 isn’t just limited to the years they attended Field and London. Their mom, Staci Allan, served on the Board of Education for 18 years and recently stepped down from her position. Her legacy continues through her daughters, who carry forward her values of community care and appreciation.

“Our mom’s biggest thing then and now has always been loving and supporting the teachers and the community,” Zoey states. “She instilled that in us from day one: care for your people and give back to those who have brought you to where you are”. 

Even today, the teachers who watched Ellie and Zoey grow up remain present in their lives. “The District 21 community has had such a beautiful and positive impact on our family,” Zoey adds. “We’re so lucky to have many of them still with us.”

At the heart of their close-knit household is a unique language of inside jokes and references they call “Allanisms.” These are phrases, quotes, and oddball lines from TV shows, movies, or songs that, out of context, might make no sense but within the family, make perfect sense. 

For example, the phrase “My fajitas!” from Friends is used dramatically in casual conversation. From Grey’s Anatomy, the Thanksgiving episode where George O’Malley’s father and brothers knock on the door and yell “O’Mally!!!” has become an annual ritual in the Allan home. Every Thanksgiving, without fail, someone cues the moment and the whole family joins in.

Their mom playfully miscalls The Lorax “The Clorox,” which has become a staple in their moms vocabulary. And if something’s not quite right, someone will inevitably echo the confused line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding: “There’s a hole in this cake,” referencing the iconic bundt cake moment. These quirky “Allanisms” are one of the many traits that make this family so special. 

For the Allan sisters, family means everything. They live together with their mom and brother. One of their favorite ways to bond is cooking together drawing from their Mexican and Jewish heritage to explore a variety of cultural dishes. Zoey especially enjoys diving into new cultures and learning more about her roots. 

As Ellie and Zoey continue to grow personally and professionally, they carry their experiences from District 21 and the people who shaped them into every aspect of their lives. “Hopefully we are successful products of the district,” Zoey chuckled. Their story is a testament to the lasting influence of educators, community, and family. As Zoey puts it, “The impact a teacher has on a student reverberates across time and space.” And for the Allan sisters, those ripples are still being felt.