Lombard’s VFW Lilac Post 5815 has announced that Tim Anderson was named VFW State Teacher of the Year for Middle School.
Anderson, who is a member of the post, attended Illinois State University and earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. He also received a scholarship to attend the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program there—after which he committed to serving four years in the military.
“My family was always very patriotic,” Anderson said, adding that he joined the military in part because he looked up to his older brother Eric—who also went through the Illinois State ROTC program and served in the military and Army Reserves, going on to become a lieutenant colonel.
“I watched him go through that process,” Anderson described, prompting him to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
The Army captain said he served from 2009-13, and was stationed in Afghanistan as a logistics officer. He was in the Army Reserves from 2013-15.
According to VFW post Commander Tom Zilla, the veteran “uses his military background in promoting the values of respect, community and citizenship in his activities.”
“The military has given me a lot,” Anderson said.
He is a special education teacher at Glenn Westlake Middle School in Lombard—but mentioned how he didn’t start out to be a teacher.
Anderson recalled how he had other jobs, and during that time realized that when he was in an instructive role, “I loved teaching.”
Anderson went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Georgetown College in Kentucky. He added that he didn’t start teaching until age 30.
In addition to teaching, Anderson coaches cross-country at the middle school and is a student council adviser. He was a former gymnastics coach at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, is a football coach with the Lombard Falcons and is a youth leader at the Wheaton Bible Church.
Zilla said Anderson was selected by the VFW for several reasons. For the past four years he has organized a Veterans Day program at the middle school—bringing veterans from school families and the community together for a patriotic program.
Anderson recalled how last year he had the students speak with active military personnel from their duty stations overseas, adding that it brought “a personal touch” to the event.
Zilla related that Anderson has participated in the post’s Veterans Day programs, with Poppy Day fundraising and with the Patriot’s Pen student scholarship program.
The middle school teacher was notably humble about the recognition from the VFW, saying there are plenty of other individuals who contribute to veteran causes, so when the announcement was made, “I was shocked.”
“I’ve been very blessed in my experiences,” Anderson shared, adding of the recognition, “It drives me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Anderson and his wife Jessica have five children. She is also a teacher—first grade at Hammerschmidt Elementary School in Lombard.
According to Zilla, Anderson “will be honored at the VFW State Convention in June in Springfield. His information has been forwarded to VFW National for further consideration.”
