Ms. Anderson has served as principal of Deerfield High School since 2016.  She previously served as principal of Lane Tech College Prep, a public four-year selective enrollment magnet school in Chicago. Prior to her tenure as principal, she served Lane Tech as Assistant Principal for three years, as Academic Center Coordinator for one year, and as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Biology and Genetics teacher for four years.

During Ms. Anderson’s time at Lane Tech, she led a collaborative team of students, staff, parents and community members to develop, implement and update the school’s Strategic Plan with a current focus on multi-tiered systems of support, assessment and grading, professional learning, and social emotional learning to ensure all students receive ongoing support and guidance. Ms. Anderson led teachers in continuing the development and implementation of 21st century STEAM curricula, as well as a variety of world language options, visual and performing arts courses, humanities electives, college counseling services, and integrated special education programs to support all students and prepare learners for college and beyond. Ms. Anderson led the development of a mentoring program for seventh and eighth grade students, counseling and mentoring program for off-track students, a restorative justice discipline program, and student/parent programs for social media safety, drug and alcohol awareness, and bullying prevention. Ms. Anderson also led efforts to improve budgeting processes and fundraising efforts to serve as a model school in Chicago Public Schools.

Ms. Anderson holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Education from DePaul University, a Master of Education in Education Leadership from American College of Education, and a Bachelor of Biological Sciences with a Spanish minor from Purdue University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of School Leadership, with completion anticipated in May 2018. Ms. Anderson also serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University, where she facilitates Supervision and Improvement of Instruction graduate coursework for the Illinois principal preparation program, and as an Illinois Gifted Education Seminar Trainer. In addition, Ms. Anderson serves on the District-wide Gifted Administrative Council Committee for Chicago Public Schools.