"I always wanted to be a teacher," she says. "There are a lot of teachers in my family, especially on my mother's side. I've always worked with children. Teaching was just something I always planned to do."

Born and raised in Yakima, Wash., Anderson received her bachelor's degree in education at Seattle University. She later obtained her master's in education with an emphasis in English as a second language education and administrative credentials at San José State University.

She entered the educational field in 1969 and taught physical education in the Woodside School District. In 1970, she moved to the Campbell Union School District and, except for a nine-year stint with the Franklin-McKinley School District from 1986 to 1995, she has been part of the Campbell Union School District.

Although she has worked as a principal for almost 20 years, Anderson anticipates that her new job environment will teach her even more.

"There is the challenge of a new position working in a new environment," she says. "Castlemont is twice the size of Rosemary, the last school I worked at. I'm getting used to the culture of a new school."

The culture of Castlemont is one Anderson admires. "Castlemont has wonderful programs," she says. "I want to support the current programs, teachers and staff."

Like most people acclimating to a new culture, Anderson wants to take time to observe her environment before she attempts to change anything. "The first year I will be becoming familiar with new programs," she says. "I need to step back and take a look."

Anderson, however, is confident that her extensive familiarity with the issues facing the district will guide her as she takes on her new role at Castlemont. Her strong background in English as a second language education will also come in handy.

"I think the biggest issue facing the district is the growing population of people who speak English as a second language. I'll continue to work on the English language development plan."

Anderson also realizes that students aren't the only ones learning new things in school. She is also excited about the Balanced Literary Plus program that uses materials through textbook publisher Houghton Mifflin. The program instructs teachers how to design their lessons so that students who are not reading at grade level can improve their proficiency and bring their reading level up. Anderson describes it as a "model program" and is excited about implementing this tool in fall 2004.