Why teaching? — I grew up in a home where my father was a principal in an elementary school in Oregon, and my mother was a speed reading teacher in a jr. high school. In the evenings, conversations were always about their school day, classroom, students, upcoming events, and problems. I learned a lot by listening about how to be a good student, and how to be a good teacher. It seemed natural to choose the teaching profession when I entered BYU as a Freshman. We all have God-given gifts and talents. I feel that loving children, and teaching them in an exciting way is one of my talents.
Curriculum Highlight — History uses the timeline of Christ for teaching the ages of the world. We begin with the pre-mortal life, and end with the Second Coming of Christ. Whatever subject we are talking about, language arts, geography, math, etc., we relate to the scriptures, timeline, or gospel principles. At American Heritage, we learn of Christ, and we rejoice in Christ.
Why do you love teaching 1st grade? — I love young children. I love making learning so exciting that they are enthralled with discovering and experiencing new things. I love teaching first grade for that reason.
Education — Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education and Music, Brigham Young University
What have you learned at AHS? — Everyday is a beautiful day for me at this institute of learning. The Spirit of the Lord permeates every hallway, every classroom, and every heart. I seek learning, I seek loving, and I seek the Lord’s Spirit. The more I bask in this atmosphere, I know I want to be more sanctified…more like my Savior.
What Life Experience prepared you to teach at AHS? — Serving the Lord in church callings has been a big factor in my preparations to teach at American Heritage. One of the hardest callings I have had, but one of the most rewarding callings, is serving as a missionary for three years in Paraguay. Serving in a third-world country helped me to see how blessed my life truly is living in America. I learned first-hand to appreciate the Founding Fathers of this great nation. Their sacrifices have provided the foundation for this sacred land of choice freedoms.
“I want to leave the legacy of love. I want my students to remember two things. First, I love each and every one of them for their individual personalities, and for the ways they have touched my life. I am truly blessed to enjoy their endearing hugs, their inquisitive questions, and hearing their sacred prayers. Second, I want them to know that I love my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each of us have a divine destiny to fulfill. I truly hope and pray I help each one excel spiritually, physically, and morally, to fulfill the measure of their creation. Abraham Lincoln expressed it the best, “Whatever you are be a good one.”
– Mrs. Anderson
Family
I loved being a young mother with five little ones huddling around me. I loved watching the play they performed when we returned from the temple. I loved listening to them practice the piano. One son was so enthusiastic with his piano playing, he broke a piano string in the middle of a performance. I even loved the day I walked into the kitchen and found them “skating” on peanut butter they had spread all over the floor! Building snow forts, cuddling for story time, playing Monopoly, peeling potatoes, camping in the canyon, and talking about spiritual experiences and gospel principles were all part of special moments. My five little ones now have little ones of their own, and I anticipate the days when I am with my little grandchildren making kites, riding go-carts, playing at the park, or painting pictures. For me, everyday occurrences make treasured memories!
My husband is my first hobby. I love being with him! What we do doesn’t matter, just doing it together makes it worthwhile. We enjoy traveling and experiencing new adventures, whether it be places we go, food we eat, or sites we see. I have hundreds of stories about our adventures which I share with my students. Maybe it is the story about my Mother on a camel ride in Egypt that did not take her back to the tour bus, or it might be the story of the alligator that chased me up a hill snapping and hissing at my heels, or it might be the story about poor children in Paraguay who beg for food on street corners rather than go to school. Stories teach lessons, and my students sit spellbound when I begin telling one of my stories!
