Page 44 - Salesianum - Distinguished Gentleman - Summer 2020
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FEATURE
Creighton Anderson is now in his seventh year at Salesianum and teaches some of the school’s most popular courses. He brings his passion for innovation and insatiable curiosity to the STEM classroom every day, along with stellar
qualifications that include an M.S. in Engineering and an M.A. in Science Education from Columbia University, plus a unique blend of corporate and educational experiences.
Anderson first worked in Texas as an engineer, making microchips for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and eventually accepted a position at nearby W.L. Gore Associates. While working in New Product Development at W.L. Gore, he experienced the painful loss of his mother, who passed away at the young age of 56. “This terrible loss presented me with one of those hit-the- brakes, defining moments in life; it’s when you realize, first-hand, that life might be shorter than expected,” recalls Anderson.
While working as an engineer, Anderson also volunteered at high schools and community colleges,
how talented the students were, so I pitched creating a STEM class to the administration. . . . This into several sections of STEM classes and remains among the Salesianum.” —Creighton Anderson
doing science experiments and tutoring, including helping students with learning challenges master algebra. “I have always loved helping people learn and achieve their goals,” he explains. “After the loss of my mom, I decided to leave engineering and pursue my love for teaching. So, I returned to school to earn a master’s degree in secondary science education.” While studying at Columbia University, Anderson completed his student teaching in Harlem. Eventually, his new career brought him to public high schools in Maryland and Pennsylvania, where he taught STEM courses including Project Lead the Way, robotics, 3D modeling, architecture and AP chemistry.
“As a child, I attended public schools, but was always curious about what education was like in a private school. When Salesianum was seeking a teacher for chemistry and physics courses, I applied as a result
of my continued curiosity,” says Anderson. “During my first year, I quickly saw how talented the students were, so I pitched creating a STEM class to the administration, which was approved and funded.” This
42 DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN | Summer 2020
