Julie Anderson

Position: Physical Education TeacherSchool: Burlington Elementary SchoolSchool District: Burlington School District RE-6JCity, State: Burlington, ColoradoAbout the Nominee: Julie Anderson has been teaching in the Burlington School District for over two decades, and she still has just as much energy and enthusiasm as she did the year she started teaching. Her teaching style and creative lessons and activities meet each individual student's learning needs. Without a doubt, she prepares them for fitness activities, recreational and competitive sports and a healthy lifestyle for years to come.Over the last few years, Mrs. Anderson has organized a Fuel Up to Play 60 Team at Burlington Elementary School and volunteered as the Program Adviser. She facilitates the Student Leadership Team, who have organized many activities to promote wellness, such as Classroom Breakfast (never before served in this district with a poverty level of 69%), Morning Mile, Turkey Trot, academic classroom Movement Breaks, and a visit to the school by former Denver Broncos wide receiver, Ed McCaffrey, and the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders and mascot.Last year, Mrs. Anderson extended the Fuel Up to Play 60 activities into the evenings to encourage parent involvement in educational and fitness activities. One of these activities was “Screen Free Week,” where she provided students and their families alternatives to sitting in front of a screen each evening such as a “Glow Run,” “Tag It Tuesday,” “Capture the Flag Night,” and “Parachute Games.” These events were well attended by students and families. Most importantly, they were a true testament to the culture of wellness Mrs. Anderson has created in her school and community. In planning for the 16-17 school year, Mrs. Anderson has talked about finding a way to integrate Pokemon Go into some of her classroom or parent involvement activities to draw in even more families.Mrs. Anderson is a positive, supportive co-worker and an exemplary role model for students and teachers alike. She is a major contributor to many of the building’s professional activities, and she never hesitates in volunteering to work on a team or committee to benefit the students. She is a master schedule wizard who plans and facilitates Play Daze (a field day alternative) for the entire elementary school every May. When the physical education program was at risk of being cut, Mrs. Anderson fought hard to ensure that students would have as many opportunities for physical education as possible. She is the only physical education teacher in her building and instructs every student several times a week in her classroom.Over the last few years, Mrs. Anderson has served as a mentor to multiple first-year physical education teachers in other schools. She never hesitates to make the commitment and has supported these teachers, not only with becoming familiar with the district curriculum, but with learning effective teaching strategies to promote healthy lifestyles that students carry into adulthood.Mrs. Anderson is an energized, well-rounded, self-starting, dedicated professional who has demonstrated excellent rapport and leadership abilities with children, teachers and parents. She respects people, and they respect her in return.According to her nominator, Mrs. Anderson is a famous figure within her community. Whenever children see her at an event or at the grocery store, they often shout, “Mrs. Anderson! Mrs. Anderson!" Every elementary student in town is excited when they have a chance meeting with her, and Mrs. Anderson is enthused to encounter them as well. Her experience and talents have been valuable assets to the school and community for more than 20 years, and her legacy will be the health and wellness of her students and their families for many years to come.[nominee_videos nominee_email="janderson@burlingtonk12.org"]