Kerri Anderson’s face hurt after the first day of school.
‘I smiled so much that first day it hurt,? the new Carpenter Year-Round Elementary Principal said.
Anderson was hired over the summer to replace longtime principal, Rose Edwards, who retired in June.
Before coming to Carpenter, Anderson worked in both elementary and middle schools, as well as in leadership capacities in Rochester Schools. Most recently, she served as a learning consultant at Hugger Elementary.
Anderson, who describes it as ‘great? to be at Carpenter, said it’s all about the kids.
‘It’s just about the kids and making sure what we do here is about the kids succeeding,? she said. ‘They all deserve a learning opportunity to do the best they can do.?
Anderson has been working with the staff to develop goals for the school, but really calls this year a ‘learning year.?
‘The staff was in great hands with Mrs. Edwards,? Anderson said. ‘I just want to learn where they’ve been and where they want to go.?
‘I’m not here to implement a big change this year,? she added.
Anderson appreciates Edwards, calling Carpenter, ‘her pride and joy,? and expressing a desire to continue Edwards? level of success.
For Anderson, it’s been great to now work in the community in which she lives. She and her husband, Nick, moved to Lake Orion six years ago with their two children, Devon and Kylie. Both kids attend Webber Elementary, Devon in fourth grade and Kylie in second.
‘We live in Lake Orion. We’re members of the community,? she said. ‘It’s been so nice to see people we’ve met through sports and our neighborhood.?
‘I’m invested in these schools, I want them to be successful,? Anderson added.
According to Anderson, it was the staff of Lake Orion schools and the community that prompted her to apply for an administrative position, noting that she didn’t simply want an administrative job, she wanted an administrative job in Lake Orion.
‘I wouldn’t have gone to just any district,? she said. ‘I only applied in Lake Orion and I’m really lucky it worked out.?
Anderson said she’s excited to be in Lake Orion and thinks it’s going to be a great year for the district and for Carpenter. She’s looking forward to being a Dragon at both work and home.
‘We’re Dragons, and we love the green and white because of MSU,? she said.
‘I think that’s one of the great things about Lake Orion Schools ? everybody’s a Dragon,? Anderson added.