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Kim Anderson, Learning Specialist
Kim Anderson, Learning Specialist
by Dr. Jeremy Sullivan
Kim Anderson began her teaching career at the Greene County Special Education Cooperative, which served several smaller districts with intensive special education needs. Her education journey has included teaching a K-5 emotional behavioral support classroom and middle school cross-cat classroom in Republic and a self-contained 5th-12th grade classroom at Springfield Options Site, a residential facility. Kim left the classroom to be a behavioral specialist and process coordinator before joining the Learning Development department seven years ago.
True connection requires authenticity, and Kim harnesses her own authenticity to build strong relationships across the SPS system. Hickory Hills teacher Janine Forrester explained, “Kim is amazing. She is a truly kind and caring person. One of her best qualities is how authentic she is. She has been someone I have been able to trust and confide in because of that. I am immensely grateful to work with Kim on a regular basis.”
Kim’s ability to navigate the various support structures has been identified by multiple people. Dr. Karyn Christy, principal at Wilson’s Creek, shared, “Kim is ‘always present.’ Whether she is in our building or elsewhere in the district, she is just an e-mail away. If she does not know the answer right away, Kim finds the answer. She supports our growth in academic curriculum delivery, technology for virtual delivery, and the climate and culture in our building. She assists us in creating our SAP plan and is a tremendous resource for our growth in all areas.” Dana O’Mealy expressed similar sentiments: “With new curriculum, technology needs, and stress through the roof, our building has leaned into our wonderful Learning Specialist, Kim Anderson. We have come to her with panic, fear, problems, and teaching needs. Each time she reassures us we will find solutions, and then circles back around with resources and support that solidifies our room’s effectiveness.”
The mission of the Learning Development department is to build capacity in all we serve. Tracy Williams, principal at Hickory Hills, connected Kim’s work directly to our departmental mission when he wrote, “One of the benefits that I appreciate most about having Kim as our Learning Specialist is having a thinking partner that helps me organize my thoughts, wishes, and aspirations for professional learning. Kim is a wealth of knowledge, always approachable, and has a perpetual calming presence. I am not sure how she balances working with multiple buildings and departments but she is able to do it with grace and with high competency.”
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