From Hospital Steps to the Classroom: Allie Wills' Inspiring Path to Teaching

Born in China and adopted as a baby by a couple from Tennessee, Allie Wills was raised in Dickson County. Now, she is building a future for herself at Nashville State. It has been a long journey for Allie, but as she readies for her second year studying early childhood education, she is using her experience and past to propel her into the future.

As a baby, Allie was left outside a hospital in her birth country of China. There, they took her in and cared for her.

At nine months, Allie was adopted by a family from Tennessee, and there they raised her in a family of strong faith and commitment to education. With her mom leaving her job to homeschool her, with a focus on college preparation.

“Though I was angry at first (about her situation at birth), I am grateful today,” Allie said.

“It’s taken time over the years to understand, but now I see it as she (Allie’s birth mother) gifted me this life.”

As she grew up, Allie said she was always looking for what would come next. “I’ve always wanted to go to the next thing or worry about what’s next,” Allie said.

 “I didn’t know what my future would look like.”

With the help of her parents, her faith, and mentorship she has received from teachers in martial arts, Allie said she has learned to focus on the present and fully embrace her time as a student.

Allie now attends the Dickson County campus of Nashville State and said she settled there for the start of her college journey as it made her feel at home.

“Nashville State has been one of the most welcoming,” Allie said. “I wanted to do well, and when I walked in and met the people there, I felt this relief that I could do this.”

Allie attributes much of her ability to focus and confidence to her experiences in taekwondo, which she started when she was three, and where she now leads her own class. 

“My spark for teaching really came when I was given my own class,” Allie said.

“Taekwondo has really held me accountable and helped me with goal setting, and helped me with other parts of my life. And the confidence that came with it.”

Coming from a homeschooled environment to in-person classes at Nashville State has been an eye-opening experience.

“It’s been great and a really fun experience.”

“I’m really look forward to being with my teachers and with the other students.”

As she continues through her second year, Allie said she is exploring her options after graduation in Spring 2026 and plans on attending Austin Peay University to earn her bachelor’s before returning to Dickson County to teach.

“Nashville State has really forced me to deal with a lot of new things and new skills,” Allie said. “It’s helping me grow as a person.”

**** Photo courtesy of Allie Wills