MCDONOUGH – Dr. Cynthia A. Anderson, assistant professor of teacher education in Mercer University's Tift College of Education, was recently named one of two new inductees into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame.
Dr. Anderson primarily teaches at Mercer's Henry County Regional Academic Center. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in early childhood and middle grades education and currently supervises students during field experiences.
“It comes to me as no surprise that Dr. Cynthia Anderson was selected for this high honor,” said Dr. Jim Barta, dean of Tift College of Education. “Dr. Anderson possesses the perfect balance of intelligence and grace to pull communities together. She is doing precisely that between our College and our partners in education in Griffin-Spalding County.”
During her career in the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS), Dr. Anderson taught at Fourth Ward Elementary for 11 years, where she was named a Teacher of the Year. She then served as an instructional lead teacher at Kelsey Middle School for 10 years and principal for Anne Street Elementary during a year of leadership transition.
She spent her last 13 years at GSCS at the district office serving as director of professional learning and director of elementary and middle grades curriculum. Since retiring, she has volunteered her time to help GSCS by reading and judging scholarship applications and serving as a Literacy Day judge.
For more than 12 years, Dr. Anderson served as the accreditation contact for another school district, which involved working with all schools in the district to achieve and maintain state accreditation and AdvancED accreditation. She served as the lead evaluator for numerous accreditation external review teams in school districts in Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas and South Carolina. She also taught undergraduate and graduate classes at Clark-Atlanta University, Clayton State College and University and the University of Georgia.
Dr. Anderson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University, Master of Education and Education Specialist degrees from West Georgia College and Doctor of Education degree from the University of Georgia.
Her teaching and research interests include data collection, analysis and use, institutional improvement and organizational effectiveness.
“I am both honored and humbled at being inducted into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Anderson. “This honor is truly a tribute to the many teachers and students who molded my life by demonstrating their passion for helping others learn and grow. I only pray that I have been and will continue to be a positive influence in the lives of our learners.”
The Griffin-Spalding County School System Educator Hall of Fame was established in 2013 as part of the school system's 60th anniversary festivities. All nominees must have been employed at GSCS for a minimum of 10 years and have been retired for at least five years. The criteria for judging was established by a community committee, and applications were judged by volunteers from outside of the school system.
Dr. Anderson and William Walker represent the fourth class of the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame. They were inducted during a pregame ceremony at the Aug. 26 football game between Griffin High School and Spalding High School.
About the Tift College of Education
Mercer University's Tift College of Education – with campuses in Macon, Atlanta and the University's three Regional Academic Centers – prepares more professional educators than any other private institution in Georgia. The College offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees, and is guided by the conceptual framework of the “Transforming Practitioner,” which supports those who aspire to grow professionally throughout their careers, while also seeking to transform the lives of students. education.mercer.edu
