Jill Sandy Anderson

Outstanding Young Professional Award Award

By the College of Education

Established in 1997 to recognize alumni of the College of Education for remarkable early career achievements.

Jill S. Anderson
B.S. Physical Education, 1983

As the middle school health instructor and counselor at Norwalk Community Schools, Jill Anderson has gained national attention for modeling outstanding educational practice in teaching strategy, assessment, cooperative learning, interdisciplinary teaching, school based decision making, study teams, and community involvement and service. She brings health to life for her students with guest speakers ranging from bodybuilders talking about steroid use to funeral directors discussing death and dying and has challenged her students to act decisively to effect their health and wellness.

The Iowa State Education Association asked Anderson to serve as a model for her fellow teachers by facilitating professional development seminars throughout the state. Her influence extends well beyond Iowa's borders. She has twice shared her views on education with Vice President Gore and recently served as a delegate to a teachers' forum in Washington, D.C. In 1995, Anderson was celebrated as the Outstanding Health Educator at the American Teacher Awards. She was also a finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year, and was named one of the Top Ten Young Iowans by the Iowa Jaycees that same year. She also earned a 1996 Milken National Educator Award.