Ms. Anderson, a special education teacher who teaches a number of self-contained and resource-level classes, is retiring this year after starting her Glenbard West teaching career in 1992. Before Glenbard West, Ms. Anderson taught at Glenbard North, teaching a variety of special education classes there as well.

Ms. Anderson loves what she does, explaining that “special ed[ucation] students have to work a little harder, a little differently” and, thus, “when they achieve and grow, it [is] very exciting to see.”

She also loves that, on top of her students, she is also able to meet a variety of other individuals—including “gen[eral] ed[ucation] kids”—and enjoys “seeing them grow” as well.

She co-teaches a driver’s education class and is close with her students there as well. She explains that one of her favorite memories is when she was in the driver’s education car that students drive as practice and, although she was supposed to be the calm one, sometimes she would “break down in giggles” with the other students in the car “making her laugh.”

Another part of Glenbard West that Ms. Anderson will miss is her department. Her department would occasionally dress up and wear a wig. They “look[ed] very silly” and it  “br[ought] a lot of laughs” from their students, making them “feel better as well.” Her students’ reactions is what she enjoyed the most from those experiences.

She also recalls a moment in Mr. Zander’s health class that makes her smile. When a student asked if smoking leads to gray hair, Mr. Zander responded, “Yes, but Ms. Anderson’s hair is not caused by [that].”

After she retires, Ms. Anderson plans on “tak[ing] six months to just relax and not having to do anything.” She wants to “travel, get caught up on reading, and spend some more time with her family and her garden.” She just looks forward to enjoying the simpler things in life.

Ultimately, from her Glenbard West career, Ms. Anderson feels that “it is very gratifying when you see [your students] being successful” and it is one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher; a part she will miss the greatest. Congratulations to Ms. Anderson for retiring—West thanks her for all her work and will miss her!