No 'me,' just 'we' — Topeka USD 501's Tiffany Anderson wins national superintendent award

Rafael Garcia, Topeka Capital-Journal
·3 min read
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Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson on Friday was named the American Association of School Administrators 2023 Woman Superintendent in School Leadership.
Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson on Friday was named the American Association of School Administrators 2023 Woman Superintendent in School Leadership.

There was no "me" to Tiffany Anderson's most recent national award.

Like most of the well-decorated superintendent's other awards, she credited a support system and community of school advocates in the work that most recently earned her the 2023 Woman Superintendent in School Leadership award from the American Association of School Administrators.

Anderson, who was in San Antonio for the organization's conference late last week, told The Topeka Capital-Journal that it was an honor to represent phenomenal women leaders across Topeka and Kansas.

"Being that it's Black History Month and next month is Women's History Month, it is quite the honor to be recognized as a woman leader in the field of education, representing all of the other African-American female leaders," Anderson said. "They are very few of us in Kansas, but also very few of us nationally in the superintendent role, and it means a great deal to have the opportunity to uplift the profession, as well as demonstrate the diverse change that educational leadership has had."

More:Topeka Public Schools superintendent is Kansas honoree for USA TODAY’s Women of the Year

Since her arrival in Topeka in 2017, Anderson has been recognized by several school leadership organizations, having also been a finalist for Kansas Superintendent of the Year in 2021 and 2023.

In 2022, the superintendent was named Kansas' representative for the USA TODAY Women of the Year program, a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact.

Anderson said the awards are just as much a recognition of Topeka USD 501 as they are of her.

"It's less about 'me' and more about 'we' in Topeka, and what we're doing," the superintendent said. "Many things have occurred over the course of my tenure. We have demonstrated ingenuity and innovation through the pandemic, and thought creative ways that I believe were unlike some other places, and so it's less about me and more about our team, including the teachers and the leadership team that have helped Topeka stand out."

Anderson donates award money to scholarship for 'future superintendent' Topeka West senior

Ainsley Sha-Win Schimmel, a Topeka West senior and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, receives a $2,000 scholarship check from Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson on Monday afternoon at Quincy Elementary School.
Ainsley Sha-Win Schimmel, a Topeka West senior and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, receives a $2,000 scholarship check from Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson on Monday afternoon at Quincy Elementary School.

As part of her Woman Superintendent in School Leadership award, Anderson received a $1,000 financial award and a plaque.

Anderson decided to combine the financial award with funding from the foundation she had started with her late husband Stanley Anderson to create a $2,000-per-year scholarship for Ainsley Sha-Win Schimmel, a Topeka West senior and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in the Teaching as a Profession pathway at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers.

More:These Topeka students are top 10 in the nation for STEM teaching

Even as a high school student, Schimmel is a rising star in the education profession. As a member of the Educators Rising teacher preparation organization, Schimmel last year placed in the organization's national competition. Now serving as the student president for the Kansas chapter of Educators Rising, Schimmel will again head to the national competition this summer.

Schimmel, who hopes to study elementary education at Emporia State University or Haskell Indian Nations University, was in tears Monday as Anderson presented her with an initial $2,000 check in front of her family, teachers and classmates as she was student-teaching at Quincy Elementary.

"It's such an honor," Schimmel said. "(Anderson) is truly a wise woman, and the fact that she looks at me, supports me and is willing to support my future — it's just incredible."

Topeka West senior Ainsley Schimmel is a promising future educator who will receive a $1,000 scholarship from USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson, following Anderson's national award.
Topeka West senior Ainsley Schimmel is a promising future educator who will receive a $1,000 scholarship from USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson, following Anderson's national award.

After receiving her degree, Schimmel plans to return to Topeka to teach early elementary grades and one day become a school leader.

"Perhaps she will be the next woman superintendent in future years after she gains her experience in the teaching profession, as she reflects all of the qualities of a leader who puts service above self," Anderson said.

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at ‪785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: USD 501's Tiffany Anderson named AASA's national woman superintendent