Allison Hobbie
Instructor of Chemistry and Chair of the Science Department Alison Hobbie knew that she wanted to pursue a career in education when she became an undergraduate student at Wellesley College. Even though she majored in chemistry at Wellesley, it was her lifelong love of the outdoors that led her to discover her passion for teaching. As a child growing up in Connecticut, Hobbie would often come to New Hampshire to vacation by the lakes. She continued this tradition in college by teaching kids how to sail at a sleepaway camp in the area. “I learned that I loved teaching somebody else how to do something,” she said. “I was lucky because I feel like I sort of discovered that, and I loved it. I never really looked for any other profession.”
Hobbie’s interest in chemistry developed earlier while in high school. She explained that her teachers influenced her decision to become a chemist. “I did not grow up with any scientists anywhere in the family. They were like, ‘Science? What’s that?’” Hobbie said. One high school physics teacher in particular pushed Hobbie to go into science. “He was really strict, [but] he was a funny guy,” Hobbie recollected. “He really inspired me to go on in science.” As she entered adulthood, she had to think about her future and narrow down her path. “What can I teach? Maybe I’ll teach science. Maybe I’ll teach chemistry,” she said, outlining her thought process at the time.
After teaching for some years at The Taft School in Connecticut, Hobbie decided to attend the University of Virginia to obtain a graduate degree. Again, her choice was motivated by the students she taught. “I went to graduate school for environmental science because of my students,” Hobbie said. As a graduate student, Hobbie took part in several projects that allowed her to immerse herself nature, including some work in the Shenandoah National Park with water chemistry and research on groundwater in Florida. She described how much she loved the long afternoons she spent studying science, something that really surprised her non-scientist friends. “I just really loved lab. It was fun for me,” she said.
In addition to teaching the core chemistry courses, like “Principles of Chemistry” and “Accelerated Chemistry,” Hobbie also teaches “Chemistry of the Environment,” an elective she introduced to Exeter. Environmental science first caught her attention when she taught at Taft. “There were students there who were just really passionate about the environment,” Hobbie said. The students’ earnest devotion to the cause encouraged Hobbie to link together environmental activism with academics. When Exeter’s Science Department announced that they were looking for someone to teach an environmental science course, Hobbie took on the job. What started off as a one-term project proved to be so successful that it became a year-long course.
It is her passion for all of her pursuits that Exonians appreciate about Hobbie so much. Indeed, she has a love for athletics, which has been one of her defining characteristics since she taught at a sailing camp in her college days. “I loved to sail, and then the campers would love to sail,” she said. As a member of the PEA community, Hobbie’s infectious energy continues to inspire the people she teaches. Upper Alexis Gorfine affirmed the effect of Hobbie’s enthusiasm. “I absolutely loved her as a crew coach. She made me really love the sport,” she said.
Hobbie’s positive spirit impacts all the Exonians in Merrill Hall, where Hobbie is a dorm affiliate. She uplifts the people in Merrill any time that she is on duty. After taking attendance for the night, Hobbie asks residents about their day and plays a game of Heads Up (charades) with each of them. Kesi Wilson, one of Hobbie’s advisees, described her as “easy to talk to” because Hobbie makes a point to reach out to students first. This trait is also what makes her so approachable to new students at the Academy. “She cares about everything I have to say,” said prep Fiona Madrid, echoing Wilson’s opinion. Hobbie continuously validates the people she interacts with, while also pushing them to be their best selves. According to History Instructor Hannah Lim, another faculty member who is affiliated with Merrill Hall, Hobbie “encourages those around her to challenge themselves to be well-rounded, thoughtful and kind members of the community.” Dr. Lim elaborated on Hobbie’s important role in the community, “She has a wealth of pragmatic and caring advice on how to provide support for our students.” Hobbie combines a passion for intellectual pursuits such as chemistry and environmental science with a talent for connecting with people on an emotional level. For that, the entire PEA community is truly grateful.