We Are F.I.R.S.T.

At Anderson Community Schools we truly believe that our teachers and staff make us the first and best choice for students and families in Anderson and Madison County. That is why the "T" in our ACS F.I.R.S.T. strategic plan stands for "Teacher and Staff Supported". Throughout the 2024-2025 school year we will be highlighting teachers and staff on why they choose to work at Anderson Community Schools.

For more information about working for Anderson Community Schools, please visit our Careers' webpage.

Misty Adams, Interim Assistant Principal, Anderson High School

Misty Adams has been connected with Anderson Community Schools (ACS) since she was 5 years old. As a student, she attended ACS schools from Kindergarten - 12th grade. Following graduation from high school she attended Ball State University to become a teacher. During her time there she did her practicum experiences with ACS. She is now in her 18th year as an educator with ACS. As her career has progressed she has moved into administrative roles in recent years. Currently she is in her first year as an interim Assistant Principal with Anderson High School. Thank you Mrs. Adams for your dedicated service. We are so proud to have you on the ACS team!

Jeremy Middleton, Dean, Erskine Elementary School

Mr. Middleton has dedicated his life to education. Most of his career was spent working in another district. However, after moving to Anderson, he wanted to serve students in the community he lived in. So, last year he joined the team at Anderson Community Schools. In his role as Dean at Erskine Elementary School he thoroughly enjoys working with building administrators, teachers, and support staff to provide a positive learning environment for their students. Thank you Mr. Middleton for choosing to be a member of the ACS team!

Beth French, 5th Grade Teacher, Eastside Elementary School

For over 30 years, Beth French has been a teacher at Anderson Community Schools (ACS). Throughout her career, she has made it her mission in life to love and educate the students of Anderson. She’s proud to say that her sons Owen and Austin (Anderson High School classes of 2024 and 2025, respectively) are products of ACS and have had many opportunities afforded to them as a result. We are so thankful for Mrs. French's dedication, loyalty, and passion! She has, and continues to have, a profound impact on the students, fellow teachers, and staff she works with!

Greg Granger, Principal, Valley Grove Elementary School

Deanna House, Instructional Coach, Anderson High School

Deanna House is a dedicated member of the Anderson Community Schools (ACS) family. She and her children are ACS graduates, and for the last 30 years, she has been a teacher and now instructional coach at Anderson High School. She loves supporting teachers and students at her “hometown school system” and appreciates the collaborative spirit that exists between ACS and the Anderson Federation of Teachers.

Angela Eden, School Psychologist, Anderson Community Schools

Angela Eden serves students at multiple school buildings in her role as a School Psychologist. She joined the team at Anderson Community Schools in 2022, leaving another school district where she had worked for 17 years. She appreciates working for a district that values relationships over test scores and provides a work environment that places mental health and satisfaction over perfection and productivity.

Patricia Cosby-Wilkins, Paraeducator, D26 Career Center

Amanda Lindorf, Music Teacher, Erskine Elementary School

Bridget Bieberich, 5th Grade Teacher, Tenth Street Elementary School

Stephanie Crosby, Physical Education Teacher, Eastside Elementary School

Stephanie Crosby is the Physical Education (PE) Teacher at Eastside Elementary School. Mrs. Crosby is in her fifth year with Anderson Community Schools. She loves teaching students to love to move their bodies. She appreciates our district's commitment to licensed PE teachers and letting them create quality programs. We are so thankful to have Mrs. Crosby at Eastside Elementary School and as part of the ACS team!

DJ Suchocki, Principal, Tenth Street Elementary School

DJ Suchocki has been a valued member of the Anderson Community Schools (ACS) team for most of his life. First as a student, where he attended ACS from grades K-12. That relationship continued when he returned to ACS as a teacher in 2003. He later moved into administration and, today, Mr. Suchocki is our longest tenured principal, serving as the building leader for Tenth Street Elementary School since 2016. We are so thankful for Mr. Suchocki and his passion, energy, and leadership!

Haley Helton and Chelsie Olesky, 3rd Grade Teachers, Anderson Elementary School

Haley Helton and Chelsie Oleksy are both 3rd grade teachers at Anderson Elementary School. In addition to teaching on the same team, these young women have something else in common. They are both members of the 2014 graduating class at Anderson High School! We are so thankful that Ms. Helton and Mrs. Oleksy chose to return and teach at Anderson Community Schools. It is inspiring to see them using their education, training, and passion to pour into the lives of our students who, like they did, attend Anderson Community Schools.

5th grade team at Eastside Elementary School

This week we are highlighting the 5th grade team at Eastside Elementary School. In addition to teaching on the same team, Mrs. French, Mrs. Meadows, Mrs. Taylor, and Mr. Billin have something else in common. They each live in Anderson and have children that currently attend Anderson Community Schools! We are so grateful for their passion, dedication, and commitment to our city and Anderson Community Schools.

Nancy Horvath, Speech Pathologist, Erskine Elementary School

Heather Bigoss, 3rd Grade Teacher, Valley Grove Elementary Schoo

Heather Bigoss is a 3rd grade teacher at Valley Grove Elementary School. Mrs. Bigoss has been with Anderson Community Schools (ACS) for 20 years. Working as an elementary teacher at ACS has allowed her to fulfill her passion of working with children, particularly those that need additional support. In addition to being licensed to teach elementary school, she also is a trained special education teacher. We are so thankful for Mrs. Bigoss' service and commitment to ACS!

Misty Terrell, Paraeducator, Edgewood Elementary School

Misty Terrell is a paraprofessional at Edgewood Elementary School. She started at ACS in 2017 because she wanted to work with kids. This passion led her to restarting the school's Student Council this year! She is proud of the Student Council's efforts to collect donations for local profit organizations. We are very appreciative of the passion and commitment Ms. Terrell brings daily when working with our students.

Melanie Wright, Art Teacher, Anderson Intermediate School

Room 408 at Anderson Intermediate School is very significant to Melanie Wright. It is where she first learned to love music as a student. And, it is her second year as a music teacher in the same classroom! A former Indiana state representative who has more than 30 years experience as an educator, Mrs. Wright appreciates being able to come back to the school corporation she attended as a student.

Brian Boyle, English Teacher, Anderson High School

Mr. Boyle is in his 3rd year as an English teacher at Anderson High School. He joined AHS because he was looking for a new opportunity, particularly working in a district like Anderson Community Schools. He experienced a devastating house fire in 2023. He was touched by the support he and his family received from AHS staff during this difficult time. Speaking of family, Mr. Boyle is pleased that he now teaches in the same building as his son! We are truly grateful to have both Mr. Boyle's as part of the ACS family!

Kimberly Whitehurst, Paraeducator, Edgewood Elementary School

Antoinette Van Beck, English Teacher, Anderson High School

Lauren Cobb, Assistant Principal, Valley Grove Elementary School

Lauren Cobb started her journey with ACS in 2014. She began in a Special Education Social Studies position which was the “best of both worlds” for her as she is licensed and passionate about both. Since that time, Mrs. Cobb has worked as a Peer Assistance Review (PAR) consultant and now serves as the Assistant Principal at Valley Grove Elementary School. In her leadership role she strives every day to empower those around her with empathy and compassion. We are so happy to have Mrs. Cobb as part of the ACS team!

Dr. Alan Alder, Head Choral Director, Anderson High School

Dr. Alan Alder is the Head Choral Director at Anderson High School. Dr. Alder served in this role from 2001-2008 before leaving to teach at Ball State University. Dr. Alder returned to lead the choral department at Anderson High School in 2022. Over the past three years he has worked diligently to grow the choral department and provide more opportunities for his students. This includes hosting a large regional competition, the A-Town Showdown, and a community wide Breakfast with Santa event. We are so happy to have Dr. Alder as part of the ACS family!

Emily Smith, Math Teacher, Anderson High School

Kayla Cange, Kindergarten Teacher, Tenth Street Elementary School

Kayla Cange is a Kindergarten teacher at Tenth Street Elementary School. She joined Anderson Community Schools in 2022 after teaching outside the community for about a decade. She empathizes with the challenges facing many of our students and appreciates the district’s focus on TBRI to help build community and wellness. We are proud that Mx. Cange has chosen ACS and is part of our team!