- April 28, 2024
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Hannah Anderson was a student at Indian Trails Middle School six years ago. Now, she is the school’s Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Anderson is actually in her second year as a full-time English Language Arts teacher at Indian Trails. She teaches sixth- and eighth-grade classes.
Anderson, 20, became a full-time teacher at age 19. She dual-enrolled as a freshman at Matanzas High School and graduated a year early with her high school diploma and an associate degree. Two years later, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
Anderson majored in English, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she graduated.
“I just knew I loved the subject,” she said. “My dad told me to try out the education field, so I subbed for a bit, and I immediately fell in love with the profession.”
Her father, Cody Anderson, is an assistant principal at Wadsworth Elementary School.
She began subbing in Seminole County, then made her way back to Flagler County.
She was a substitute teacher at Indian Trails before getting a full-time job there in August 2022.
“I love everything about the school,” she said. “I love teaching that specific age group. It’s a wonderful community to work at.”
Being a young teacher has its advantages and disadvantages, Anderson said.
I definitely feel like I can relate to the students. They feel like they can confide in me a little more as someone who’s experienced what they’re going through more recently.”
— HANNAH ANDERSON
“I definitely feel like I can relate to the students,” she said. “They feel like they can confide in me a little more as someone who’s experienced what they’re going through more recently.”
But she said it’s hard at the beginning of the school year when her students walk into class and see a teacher who is only a few years older than they are.
“I tell them, 'I am young, but I am your teacher and I am here to help you learn.' It’s sort of difficult to set that boundary and expectation,” she said.
The key, Anderson said, is to be structured.
“I make it a very organized routine. They can see that we can have fun, but we’re here to learn. It’s a big learning process through the first few days of school.”
Anderson said her fellow teachers are always willing to help her and provide advice.
“They’ve totally taken me under their wing,” she said. “I feel like I got so lucky with my team. I’m constantly learning from them.”
