SAEF names Heritage Katherine Andersen employee of the year

Kind, compassionate, dedicated, loving, passionate. These are many of the words that describe this year’s Stockbridge Area Education Foundation Employee of the Year, Katherine Andersen.

Mrs. Andersen has been a teacher in Stockbridge for a number of years as a 4^th-grade teacher. This year, she made the switch from the classroom to be the K-3 Literacy Instructional Coach.

Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Andersen has shown an openness and approachability that has fostered positive and lasting relationships, not only with her students and colleagues, but parents and families as well. Her rapport with students is natural and has allowed students to blossom as learners both in her classroom and beyond. Mrs. Andersen’s style of teaching creates a learning environment where even the most timid of students feels welcomed and loved. High school teacher, Susan Lockhart, experienced this with her own son when he was in her class.

Mrs. Lockhart wrote in her letter to SAEF encouraging Mrs. Andersen’s award, “She has always believed that the teacher-student relationship comes first, and everything else will fall into place. The results she gets with her students proves she is right. From the warmth in her greeting to her consistent, even temperament in all situations, she is the constant that so many of our students need in their lives.”

Similarly, Sarah Bentley, Heritage principal, has worked with Mrs. Andersen for a number of years and describes her as, “a teacher leader, working collaboratively with her peers to continue to try to improve her practice every day. She has a growth mindset and promotes positivity and resilience in even the most difficult times.”

Even stepping out of the classroom, Andersen has immediately jumped into her new role of supporting teachers and their students, both in-person and virtually. After taking the new position, she immediately reached out to all K-3 teachers to see how she could best help as everyone began navigating teaching in-person and online students. By attending countless grade level meetings, trainings, and reaching out to virtual families to help in any way she can, Mrs. Andersen has proven over and over that she is willing to do whatever is necessary to help our students grow and achieve. She has an innate ability to reach a diverse set of learners regardless if they are in school or on a computer. With everything Mrs. Andersen brings to our district, it is easy to see why she is the 2019-2020 Employee of the Year.

Congratulations, Katherine Andersen!