By Scott Bidroski Cody-Kilgore Unified Schools educator Angela Anderson was awarded the distinction of Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska American Legion.
During a ceremony held in Columbus, Neb. on June 27, Anderson and two other educators from the state, were honored by all in attendance for their hard work and dedication to our Nebraska youth.
The Nebraska American Legion Teacher of the Year programs serves to recognize dedicated and devoted individuals who on a constant basis give so much of themselves on behalf of the youth of Nebraska.
To be eligible for the award, the activities in the field of education by the teacher were in excess of what would be expected in that field and who promotes American Legion youth programs.
An American Legion Post must endorse the candidate for the award and the winner was selected by a vote within the Americanism Committee and then honored at the convention.
Anderson was nominated and endorsed for this honor by the Cody American Legion Post 319.
“I was surprised I was chosen for this award because it is statewide. I work with a number of teachers who are equally as deserving as I am right here at C-K,” said Anderson.
As mentioned earlier, the award was given to Anderson at the American Legion Convention in Columbus, Neb.
The event itself and who was attending was the most humbling and inspiring part of the whole process for Anderson.
“The banquet was attended by all veterans, both retired and active duty. That included a World War I veteran sitting right by me,” said Anderson.
“Being there at the event with them, knowing that I would not even be getting this award if it was not for all of them and their sacrifice, that was the most humbling part,” she added.
Anderson graduated from Chadron State College in 2000 and went directly into education. She taught at Ainsworth, Valentine, and then Batesland, S.D. until 2008.
She then settled into a variety of roles with the Gordon-Rushville Public School District before moving to Cody-Kilgore in 2023.
“The best part of being an educator is forming the relationships with the students and seeing them grow,” said Anderson.
“Watching them grow into more mature, better thinking adults and seeing their mindset change. They then transition out of school and then do things over and over again and make you proud each time,” she added.
Anderson teaches Social Studies, American Government, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, World History, Geography, and is the Junior Class Sponsor at C-K.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Anderson has coached basketball, volleyball, track, and cross country over the past 26 years at various levels.
Anderson was one of three honorees as educators at the Convention.
The other two were Patricia O’Malley from North Platte Catholic Schools and Laurie Schlautman from Howells Community Catholic Schools.
Anderson is set to begin her third year of teaching at Cody-Kilgore Unified Schools this month.