In the public eye: WMS Altitude teacher a positive role model for students

Editor’s note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond two employee profiles.

By Ed Pierce

Lisa Anderson never forgot how instrumental that teachers were in her life and that from an early age, her mother thought her daughter should try and become an educator. Now more than three decades into her teaching career at Windham Middle School, Anderson strives to let her students know she believes in them and their potential in life.

Lisa Anderson has taught at Windham 
Middle School for more than three
decades and now teaches seventh-
and eighth-grade students at WMS in 
an alternative pathway program
called Altitude.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Anderson is one of three teachers working with seventh- and eighth-grade students at WMS in an alternative pathway program called Altitude. Its daily focus is to help students by building strong supportive relationships to foster confidence and trust.

“We utilize community resources and community members to provide engaging opportunities inside and out,” Anderson said. “We also partner with Rippleffect which promotes youth development and leadership through adventure.”

She said the goal of this partnership is to challenge students in ways they may not be challenged in their daily lives within the traditional school setting.

“Learning is a lifestyle, not a class,” Anderson said. “Rippleffect programs help youth build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and grow their appreciation for the outdoors through exploration of Cow Island, the waters of Casco Bay, and the wilderness of New England.”

Prior to joining the WMS Altitude Program when it launched in the fall of 2022, Anderson taught Language Arts and Social Studies at the school.

“I have worked for 30 years at Windham Middle School, and this has been my second home and family,” she said. “The best thing about my job is the kids. They bring such energy and laughter to every day that I just want to keep coming back. I am given the opportunity to be a caring adult, make them feel important, and to help them see themselves as confident young adults. Middle school is hard, and some kids just need to know there is someone in their corner. Connecting with families is so important.”

Originally from Madison, Maine, she attended college at the University of Southern Maine where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and graduated with a Coaching Certificate.

“I played soccer and softball in college and often held jobs in the summer working in recreation,” Anderson said. “My mom had always told me I should be a teacher. After graduating, I decided to volunteer in a middle school classroom, just to see what it was like. I loved it and knew immediately that's where I wanted to spend my days.”

She went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from the University of New England and worked for four years in special education teaching reading before moving to Windham and applying for a job at WMS.

“I had four people at my interview and when they asked why I should be hired I told them I had important people during my years in school and it was my turn to give back,” Anderson said. “I was hired, and WMS has been my home and family for 30 years. I guess moms really do know best.”

Of everything she’s accomplished in her time as a teacher at Windham Middle School, Anderson says recalls several meaningful things to her.

“When I look back over the years, there's a couple. One memorable time for me was when my own sons went to Windham Primary School and my middle school students connected with their classrooms for a buddy program,” she said. “We partnered with them all year to foster a positive relationship in the community with our youth. The seventh graders naturally learned to be leaders. This was so special. Another was when I was part of a looping team with Ms. Mallard, we had our students for two years and we all became such a family. Learning was a lifestyle, not a class. These students have returned year after year, and it is so rewarding to have watched them all grow.”

At WMS, Anderson has always taught sixth- to eighth-grade students.

“I love this age group. However, I have also been a coach for over 30 years and have worked with 4-year-olds to 18-year-olds coaching soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and swimming,” she said. “It's so rewarding to teach kids that they can be strong, and that success comes with hard work.”

According to Anderson, the public needs to know that the work of teachers is about more than just academics and even she continues to learn new things every day.

“The WMS community has taught me that when kids know what to expect, they can make good decisions,” she said. <