Glens Falls City School District recognizes national Teacher Appreciation Week by highlighting committed and enthusiastic teachers from every one of our schools each day of the week! Read on for an inside interview with Yvonne Anderson—one of the most dynamic teachers around our district.
Yvonne Anderson teaches math at the High School. She is from Lake Luzerne and graduated from Hadley-Luzerne School and SUNY Plattsburgh.
What is the best thing about teaching at the High School?
The people! The people at GFHS are amazing! The faculty, administration, and staff are like one big family. I love working with them. These people demonstrate excellence daily and I am proud to be working with them. The parents are supportive and love to get involved. They really work hard to get to know the teachers and I’m so grateful for that. And, the students are fabulous. I love watching them do “their thing”! Games, concerts, musicals, volunteering, and all their everyday activities! I really feel like we are all on the same team! I know why they say we are GF Nation Strong!
Describe your favorite lesson or unit from this year … and what did the students think of it?
My geometry students and I really enjoyed our unit on constructions. The artistic kids love constructions and so do the hands-on kids. It’s much different than solving an equation and we all found it to just be fun. I think I might have a future graphic designer or possibly an architectural engineer in that class?!?!
How was pandemic teaching for you? How are you doing now?
I actually learned a lot teaching through the pandemic. At times I was really sad and other times I found silver linings along the way. Teaching and learning changed dramatically and somehow, we all made it through. I learned to be more understanding and to really meet the students where they were; emotionally and academically. I’m very happy to have all the students back in the classrooms. I admit to feeling a little more weathered, but feel stronger and better than ever. I’m excited to see what the next few years bring.
Can you describe your efforts outside the classroom for kids as well?
I go to games (or have been watching them online), concerts, and musicals. I teach in our summer school program. I have found myself in the past going to an occasional horse show to watch an equestrian student do their thing! I am a member of the NHS Faculty Council. I love watching our students get recognized for their efforts! I am a fan of our students and I’d like to believe I am one of their biggest cheerleaders! I am grateful to be a teacher at GFHS. It’s an amazing place to work. I am surrounded by excellence everyday.
