Hundreds of teachers come to work every day to better students’ education. While their voices all start to blend together throughout the hallways, one booming voice stands out from the rest: US History and Economics teacher Rick Anderson.
Q: Do you enjoy teaching?
A: I have always enjoyed teaching, it is my chosen profession after my first profession which was corporate sales.
Q: What made you want to become a teacher?
A: I had been a high school football coach and my mentor coach encouraged me to get into teaching, so when the opportunity came I decided to make the leap. I thought it was better for myself and my family.
Q: What is your favorite part of teaching?
A: I think making a difference in young people’s lives. I enjoy seeing them later in life and their kind words are a payment beyond any paycheck.
Q: Favorite subject/class to teach?
A: They are tied between History and Economics. I was originally hired in economics then ended up in a position where things warped and I did more history. Things ended up switching again this last year with Keating retiring and I went back to Economics.
Q: What qualities do you think make a good teacher?
A: a lot of qualities make a good teacher. I think being organized and caring about the students. I try to incorporate humor as much as I can in my teaching. It keeps kids’ attention and makes class fun. I believe fun is an important element of education
Q: How do you feel about retiring this year?
A: I am excited, my wife and I are doing a lot of planning of what to do in our free time. It is a little scary because it is the unknown, but I am looking at it as an adventure, which takes some of the fear away.
Q: Will you miss teaching or the students?
A: I am sure I will miss it. Especially that time in August when you get going again and start preparing. It will definitely tug at me, but I have to keep myself busy.
Q: What will you do with retirement?
A: My wife and I want to spend more time with family, and more time with our eight grandchildren. Some traveling, a little more fixing our ranch, eating and cooking, watching TV, and some sports.
Q: What are you going to miss the most?
A: Stealing candy from students when they bring notes and stealing snacks from their desks. I call it taxing kids.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give students graduating this year?
A: Do what you love. Find a living in something you love, then you don’t have to go to work every day.
