By Kayla Markowitz – Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Law English Teacher Mrs. Anderson was recently named Jonathan Law’s Teacher of the Year. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Kayla Markowitz interviewed Anderson about receiving this award. 

Kayla Markowitz: What does being Teacher of the Year mean to you?

Mrs. Anderson: I was so surprised and honored to be Teacher of the Year! I feel lucky to work with and learn from my coworkers who are also some of my best friends. Their influence made me the teacher I am today.

KM: What do you love about teaching at Jonathan Law?

MA: The students and the faculty. Jonathan Law is special.

KM: What are some ways you build relationships with your students?

MA:  I try to build relationships with my students by really getting to know them as people. I pay attention to what they’re involved in outside of school, ask about their interests and families, and try to remember the little things they share with me. At the start of the year, I have them do a lot of personal writing so I can start learning who they are right away, and I try to build on that all year long. I want every student to know that I really care about who they are as people. 

KM: How do you handle challenges in the classroom?

MA: I try to remember that everyone has bad days. I don’t take things personally and I don’t hold a grudge.

KM: What’s something your students might be surprised to learn about you?

MA: If we raced, I would probably win.