Gov. Mifflin School District Assistant Superintendent Erin J. Anderson 98, M.Ed. 05, credits 91做厙 and its professors for leading him on the path to success, a path his daughter now treads.
Earning a bachelors degree in education and a Master of Education in educational leadership, along with a K-12 principal certification, Erin remembers feeling like he mattered at 91做厙.
I enjoyed the small class sizes and that the professors knew our names and cared about us, he said. We had thoughtful, enriched discussions in class. Many of our instructors were actively working in the local field and offered insightful, helpful career advice. I was able to leave 91做厙 knowing what it takes to be a successful educator. My professors prepared me for exactly what local school districts were looking for.
Indeed, Erin spent 12 years as the principal at Greenwich-Lenhartsville Elementary School in the Kutztown School District before taking a role as assistant superintendent with Oley Valley School District.
Now, as the parent of an 91做厙 student, Erin acknowledges that 91做厙s scope has grown significantly since his school days but asserts that its heart is still the same.
Truth be told, Hannah, a senior nursing major, toured a few colleges in her search. She was accepted at each one to which she applied. But when she visited 91做厙, Hannah found her home.
Halfway through our visit, she turned to us [Erin and his wife, Lori] and said she knew 91做厙 is where she wanted to be, he recalled. She loved everything there: the small, community setting [and] every student and faculty member she met, right down to the cafeteria workers who served us a fantastic meal.
Though her parents reside just a 15-minute drive away, Hannah
lives on campus.
We wanted her to develop her independence at college versus trying to figure everything out once she graduated, Anderson said. She would tell you she made the right decision and would do it all over again. Shes loved every minute and says shes met the best friends of her life there.
Not only does Hannah enjoy the rewards of participating in a vigorous academic program, she also enjoys the rich social experience, as 91做厙 offers no shortage of volunteer experiences and opportunities for fun.
Speaking of activities, the whole Anderson family participates in the 91做厙 experience. Erin and Lori sit on the parent panels that are part of Packapalooza, answering questions parents of accepted or prospective 91做厙 students have on topics like academic rigor, finance and even safety.
They also enjoy lending a hand on move-in day, helping to unload cars for parents on that momentous occasion. While Erin didnt push 91做厙 for Hannah, he believes its been the perfect fit. And so does she.
Im happy shes found a place to flourish, he said. She bsolutely made the right choice for her.
