The experience of attending high school is like a dream. For some adults, it was a time of fun, friends and freedom. For others, it reminds them of a stress-filled nightmare they consider the worst four years of their lives. For American Government teacher Drew Anderson, however, the dream continues to this day.

“I got a lot out of high school and I enjoyed certain parts of it [like] social studies class.” Anderson said. “I want to provide that good experience that my teachers gave to me.”

Anderson attended Newsome High School and Florida State University and currently attends the University of South Florida, where he is going to grad school.

“It’s rough and very busy, a lot of times I’ll leave here and go straight to class, so it’s a lot of work between grading and doing homework,” he said.

He had already filled positions as a substitute teacher around Hillsborough County when he got notice of a permanent sub position at Robinson. Jaclyn Militello, AP US History and American Government teacher, took maternity leave not long after the start of the school year and, despite the responsibility of attending graduate school, Anderson took the job.

“I get a lot of ‘Is that a student or a teacher?’ as I walk around the school,” Anderson confessed. “In some ways, [the students] are only a few years younger than me and in other ways, [they’re] actually much, much younger than me. I strive to find that balance where they understand where I’m coming from and I understand where they’re coming from.”

In addition to his work in the classroom, Anderson also helps with the drum line after school to prepare them for competitions and give them feedback on their performances.

While attending Newsome, Anderson was a member of the drum line. He played a lot of recreational sports, but drumming was the only thing that really stuck. He always loved competing and performing, and now brings this passion to the band.

Though his days may be long and his free time non-existent, Anderson finds teaching high school to be a rewarding experience.

“Social studies is the study of us: how we got to where we are, how to solve problems others had faced,” he said. “I think it’s important for citizens to know what’s going on and stay aware.”