K-12 Excellence Spotlight: Callie Anderson

Every child deserves someone who sees beyond their hardest day.

For Callie Anderson, that belief is at the heart of how she leads. As an elementary principal, Callie looks beyond a student’s behavior or struggles. She works to find a way forward while making sure teachers and families feel heard along the way.

“Callie has empathy and leads with her heart but also leads with knowledge that she gains about a student, about staff, and what she knows about the parents,” said Superintendent Deron Stender.

For Callie, one difficult moment does not define a child. She looks at the whole picture before deciding what comes next. She considers the student, their behavior, and what may be behind it. She also listens to staff and families.

Her goal is to give each child the best chance to succeed. When possible, that means returning the student to the classroom with the right support in place.

Callie also works closely with teachers through that process. She listens to their concerns, talks through possible approaches, and connects them with the people and tools they need. She wants to create a path forward that works for both student and the teacher.

“She transforms education each year. She grows with it,” said Superintendent Stender.

Schools have changed greatly over the years. Through those changes, Callie has stayed focused on what students and teachers need to succeed.

She challenges her staff and works closely with families. She sets high expectations and holds people accountable. Yet even when the work is hard, she never loses sight of the people behind it.

The impact of her leadership can be seen throughout the school. Children get another chance. Teachers know someone has their back. Families know someone is fighting for their children.

And she does it one child, one teacher, and one relationship at a time.

Watch the recognition video to hear more about Callie and her work from Superintendent Stender.

Know someone making a difference in your district?

The Sourcewell K-12 Excellence Spotlight celebrates the people who uplift their school communities. These individuals strengthen schools and help students succeed in ways that don’t often make headlines but always make an impact.

From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to back offices, you can nominate anyone who helps your school thrive. Nominations are open year-round.

Submit a nomination.