Michael Anderson is the new dean of the New Mexico Highlands University School of Education.Anderson brings a wealth of academic experience to his new job at Highlands, including his most recent position as director of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, a position he held from 2006-2008. Anderson was the division chair for education and kinesiology at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, from 2002-2006. Previous higher education experience includes seven years with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, as both an instructor and consultant for the Teaching and Learning Center.”My primary goal as dean of the School of Education is to better serve the K-12 students in the region,” Anderson said. “It’s always about the kids for me. The most rewarding part is knowing that when one of our teachers walks in the classroom they give a child the best education they can get.”Anderson added: “A second goal is to establish a professional development school within the School of Education. This model places teachers in training in authentic classroom settings with supervision earlier in the process so they are much better prepared for student teaching. This partnership between schools and the university helps new teachers succeed in their early years and stay in the profession.” Anderson earned his Ph.D. in education from the University of Nebraska in administration, curriculum and instruction with a specialty in multicultural instruction of the United States Constitution. He earned his master’s degree in social studies education, also from the University of Nebraska. Anderson taught civics, history and psychology at the high school level for eight years. Since 1989, he has been actively involved with the Center for Civic Education both as a participant teacher and as an advisory council member. He recently participated in a Center for Civic Education project in Ecuador that helped local citizens develop and implement plans to solve community problems. Anderson also serves on the editorial board for the Journal of the National Association of Professional Development Schools.