Photo: Kathy Anderson

PARK CITY, Utah — Kathy Anderson, preschool director for Park City School District, was presented the Mary Olsen Friend of Children award on March 18 at the 48th Annual Utah Early Childhood Conference.

The Mary Olsen Friend of Children award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Utah’s early childhood community over many years of service as an advocate for children and quality programming.

“I was overwhelmed and thrilled, just to be recognized,” Anderson said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the strong people that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years.”
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Anderson began her career in education teaching kindergarten in 1988 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has served in her role as preschool director for the last 12 years.

When asked what keeps her coming back to work in education year after year, Anderson didn’t hesitate in her response.

“The children, just the love of these amazing children,” she said. “Our school district has an amazing preschool staff and they don’t do it for the money, they do it for the love of the kids.”

Anderson has been an educator 35 years and will retire this summer although she still has an immense love for what she does.

“I want to leave while I still love it,” she said. “I feel like I feel like it’s better to go when you’re still loving what you do, instead of feeling like you need to just exit… it’s bittersweet, for sure, and I’ll miss so much of it.”