JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Jacksboro Elementary’s Candace Anderson is WLAF’s teacher of the week. Anderson is originally from the Jellico area. She and her husband spent a few years stationed at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida before returning home to Tennessee. They have two “handsome boys” and currently live in Powell. 

Anderson has been teaching about four years. She spent her first two years teaching at White Oak and is in her second year of teaching at Jacksboro Elementary. She teaches second grade. 

Anderson wanted to be a teacher as far back as she can remember and was always asking for white boards and expo markers for Christmas and birthday presents. 

“My parents would bring home Post-Its and other office supplies for me to play school. I was always sitting my younger sisters down and teaching them what I had learned in school that day,” Anderson said. She also built a small classroom library to read to them, something she has now passed down to her own sons. 

According to Anderson’s mother, “Candace was born to teach.”

Anderson spent some time pursuing other careers when suddenly she was informed there was a “dire substitute teacher shortage in Campbell County.”

In 2014 she became a certified substitute teacher for Campbell County. 

“My very first placement let me know where I needed to be. Even though I live in Knoxville, Campbell County is where my heart is. I suppose you could say the children in this area have inspired me to fulfill my calling,” Anderson said.

Anderson currently teaches second grade, but she has also taught 6-8th grade math and kindergarten. 

“Seeing the kids from all stages get so excited about learning is why I do what I do. I love second grade because the kids are starting to really show their reading skills, which also makes me so proud of the teachers before me,” Anderson said. 

Her favorite part of her job is seeing the kids learn. 

“I love getting some new data that shows me how far they’ve come, which I can then share with them to make them feel like rockstars! When the end of the year comes, and I can see the tangible growth they have made academically and personally…wow, it just makes my life feel complete to see their joy in their accomplishments,” Anderson said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/23/2021-6AM)

Related