ASTA Staff
Allison Greenwood
Executive Director, ASTA
Dr. Allison Greenwood is Executive Director of the Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA), a state chapter of the Association of American Educators (AAE). She has served as an educator in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. Believing passionately in the power of education to expand human potential and the source for empowerment and unity in our country is what drives Greenwood.
Her professional career began as an early childhood teacher in West Memphis, AR. She served as program manager at one of the first Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) programs which led to her appointment as Administrator of Child and Adolescent Services and Director of Education at Lakeside Behavioral Health System in Memphis, TN. She served as principal/superintendent for 6-12 and K-12 schools for children with emotional disturbances and conduct disorders in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. She has managed numerous behavioral health and educational programs, including acute care, intensive outpatient, residential care, alternative learning environments, and outpatient offices. Dr. Greenwood held faculty appointments at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro and University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she taught classes in early childhood education, special education, middle level education, and secondary education.
Dr. Greenwood has a doctorate of Instruction and Curriculum emphasizing in Early Childhood from the University of Memphis. She holds an MSE in Early Childhood with a certification in Educational Administration and a BSE in Early Childhood from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Allison lives in North Little Rock. She enjoys rehabbing houses, painting, outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends at the lake, and advocating for children and educators.
Amy Douglas
Director of Legal Services, ASTA
Amy is the Director of Legal Services for the Arkansas State Teachers Association. She prides herself on providing thorough and timely support to the members in their time of crisis. She has been practicing law since 2006 and has extensive experience in criminal and education law. Prior to joining Arkansas State Teachers Association she practiced as a public defender for sixteen years before serving as the Managing Attorney for the Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) for the Arkansas Department of Education.
Amy is an Arkansas native and lover of the Razorbacks. You will find her out and about supporting her daughter, Avery's latest and greatest adventure.
Jennifer Wooten
Project Coordinator, ASTA
Jennifer is the Project Coordinator for the Arkansas State Teachers Association. In this role, Jennifer provides high level administrative support to the Executive Director and helps execute strategic priorities while contributing to the achievement of ASTA’s mission. Prior to joining ASTA, Jennifer used her background in psychology/social work to empower students. One of her favorite roles was working with children and their families as a family engagement specialist in a public elementary school.
Jennifer graduated from Sylvan Hills High School and Arkansas State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology. She lives in North Little Rock with her husband of over 20 years and beautiful family. She has a daughter who is a pre-med student and a son who is in high school.
Jennifer loves spending time at the lake with her family and friends. Her favorite teacher was Ms. Karen Campbell, 4th grade teacher, at Harris Elementary-Pulaski County School District. She loved how she made her feel special and to overcome her shyness. Ms. Campbell helped foster confidence.
Noelani Kahapea
Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, AAE
Noelani Kahapea serves as the director of policy and advocacy for the Association of American Educators. In this role Noelani cultivates AAE's outreach to the broader education and labor reform policy community.
Prior to joining AAE, Noelani served as the Senior Policy Staff on education and labor policy for the Republican Study Committee in the House of Representatives under three chairmen: Rep. Bill Flores, Rep. Mark Walker, and Rep. Mike Johnson. She also served as the Senior Legislative Assistant to Hawai'i Senate Minority Leader Sam Slom.
Noelani grew up with a diverse educational background, as she attended both public and private schools and was homeschooled. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa with a degree in Political Science. As the daughter, granddaughter, niece, and cousin of teachers, she truly values teachers, admires the role they play in a child's education, and has a true passion for K-12 education policy.
In her free time, Noelani enjoys dancing hula and visiting Disney World. Noelani has also been cast as an extra in a few television shows and movies including Hawaii Five-0 and Jurassic World.
It is easy for Noelani to pick a favorite teacher: her mom, Debbie. Debbie not only taught public school for many years, she also homeschooled Noelani and her two siblings. She instilled not only a love for learning, but also many valuable life lessons that Noelani has finally admitted are priceless.
Sharon Nelson
Senior Director of Legal Services, AAE
Sharon Nelson is the Senior Director of Legal Services for the Association of American Educators. In this capacity, Ms. Nelson oversees AAE's extensive legal teams across the country and works daily with members and panel counsel to address member legal concerns.
A passionate advocate for educators, Ms. Nelson has been a lawyer focusing on employee rights issues for nearly 25 years. Before joining AAE, Ms. Nelson worked in private practice advocating for employee rights.
As a litigator, Ms. Nelson has conducted numerous jury trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings. Licensed in Nevada and California (license inactive), Ms. Nelson has practiced extensively in all state and federal courts in those jurisdictions.
Ms. Nelson's favorite educator is Mr. VonBergon who taught her that life was for living and learning and that there was nothing she could not achieve.
Contact us.
Our team is standing by to serve you. ASTA staff in Little Rock, Arkansas are supported by AAE staff nationwide. AAE serves members in all fifty states and has staff throughout the country, with offices in California, Arkansas, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.
ASTA Membership Office:
225 S. Pulaski Street, Suite 200
Little Rock, AR 72201-1930
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
Phone: 877-742-ASTA (2782) (toll-free)
AAE Membership Headquarters:
25909 Pala, Suite 330
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PT
Phone: 800-704-7799 (toll-free)