George Anderson, a social studies teacher at Cedar Rapids’ Kennedy High School, was named the Iowa Department of Education’s 2020 Teacher of the Year. Anderson, 43, has taught for 13 years and also serves on the school’s leadership team and is an assistant football coach. A former Marine, Anderson said he teaches students to discover for themselves the concepts behind social studies, using hands-on, problem-solving opportunities. Finalists for the honor included Corrine Brown, fourth grade teacher at Cedar Heights Elementary School in Cedar Falls; Luis Lemus, dual language teacher at Irving Dual Language Elementary School, Sioux City; Dan Loy, fifth grade teacher at Beaver Creek Elementary School in Johnston; and Joan Nikkel, seventh grade language arts teacher at Pella Middle School in Pella. To view a short video interview with Anderson, click here.