Ankeny School Board Hires New Middle School Activities Director

From an Ankeny school district press release:

The Ankeny Board of Education recently approved the hiring Holly Anderson as the new Ankeny middle school activities director for the 2013-14 school year. 

Anderson will assume the new role when the eighth and ninth grades divide into two buildings next year, and will work to provide a smooth transition and expand opportunities for middle school students in athletics and activities. She currently serves as a physical education, wellness and interdisciplinary course teacher at Ankeny High School.

"I am honored and excited to continue my work with Ankeny Schools as the middle school activities director,” Anderson said.  “Ankeny has a wonderful reputation for excellence in academics, athletics and the arts, and I plan to work with students, families, and coaches to ensure this level of excellence continues during this period of transition.”

“Holly Anderson stood out from a strong pool of candidates as the right choice to lead and expand middle school activity opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent Bruce Kimpston. “Her enthusiasm and student-centered approach is very evident in her work and personality.”

“I am enthusiastic about the changes taking place and excited about the extended opportunities they can offer students to be involved in multiple activities,” Anderson said. “I am eager to assist in the support and development of programs at the eighth- and ninth-grade level.  Creating positive experiences for students in and outside the classroom will help develop leadership skills and other qualities to be used for a lifetime." 

Anderson has 16 years of experience as a physical education teacher and coach, beginning with Mason City High School in 1997, and later joining the Ankeny Community School District as a middle school physical education teacher in 2005.  In addition to her teaching duties, she has coached middle and high school basketball, as well as high school volleyball and track. 

During her time at Ankeny she has been a part of her building’s Instructional Leadership Team and has been the head of the Physical Education & Health Department.  She has been a member of the district-level Activities and Athletics Transition Team, and has coordinated and instructed the P.E.O.P.E.L. PE program.

Anderson has also coordinated many special programs and events for Ankeny Schools, such as the AHS Toys for Tots faculty dodgeball game, the Special Olympics pep rally, a health and fitness expo at AHS, and homecoming activities.  She is a past presenter at the state convention for the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD).

Originally from Boone, Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and Fitness Management/Exercise Sciences from Wartburg College, and a master’s degree in Secondary School Educational Administration from Iowa State University. 

She is married to husband Taylor, who will teach social studies and coach sophomore football at Ankeny Centennial High School next year. The couple has a daughter Olivia (9) and two sons, Reed (5) and Graham (2).

Anderson will begin her new role on July 1, 2013.