A lifelong passion for teaching and the chance to be around young people again brought Chuck Anderson back to being the principal of Central Baldwin Middle School in Robertsdale.

“I was ecstatic when Dr. Lee and I discussed this position becoming available. I had been wanting to get back into the school setting and this was the perfect opportunity. I just couldn’t pass it up,” said Anderson, whose first day was Tuesday.

Coming from the central office in Robertsdale as Baldwin County athletic director for the past nine years, Anderson said he feels right at home at CBMS and is so excited to be able to carry on the traditions and excellent academic standards former principal Michael Vivar started.

“We have 670 seventh and eighth graders and my number one responsibility is to ensure the academic progress of the students here. I want to make a difference in their lives and I feel extremely lucky to get a chance to work here with so many talented students and faculty. I truly appreciate the opportunity Dr. Lee has given me,” Anderson said.

Vivar, who is now the transportation coordinator for Baldwin County Public Schools in Bay Minette, established a strong academic foundation in his time at CBMS, Anderson said, and wants to continue that mission.

“Although our system has gone through some tough times economically, we still have the responsibility to be the best we can be. Mr. Vivar did a great job putting together a faculty that will best benefit the students and I look forward to building on that and making CBMS a strong school.” Anderson explained.

When asked about the impact the one cent sales tax may have on the school this year, Anderson said “it will keep us afloat and we will get the job done the best we can. We will take what we have and provide the best education our students can have.”

Having grown up in a family where both parents were teachers, Anderson never considered any other career path but teaching. “My dad was a football coach and my mom was a P.E. teacher so it was a given for me to follow in their footsteps,” Anderson said.

Graduating from UMS in Mobile in 1973 and from the University of South Alabama in 1977 with a B.S. degree in physical education, Anderson taught and coached at Sidney Phillips Middle School in Mobile for two years and at Fairhope High School for two years.

From 1981-88, Anderson was at Theodore High School and Kate Shepard Elementary teaching and coaching and from 1988-2001 was athletic director/head football coach (1988-92) and assistant principal (1991-2001) at Robertsdale High School.

Taking a departure from teaching in 2001, Anderson became the Athletic Director for Baldwin County Schools and remained in there until his appointment at CBMS.

“I never looked at teaching as a job but as a lifestyle you live 24/7, 365 a year. I love teaching and have not regretted one single day of it. I have a passion for it and for sports and want to be the best I can at each one. The time is worth it when I see the students smiling and learning and the rewards it brings,” Anderson said.

Anderson is hopeful the community will get behind the faculty and students this year because he said they certainly deserve their support.

He also added “if you are in the teaching business for the right reasons and you don’t appreciate being at CBMS, then you need to be somewhere else. This is easy for me because I love it.”

In any spare time Anderson has, he likes to swim, bike and train for triathlons. Having been attacked by a shark in Gulf Shores in 2000 and losing part of his arm, Anderson has had to learn to do things a little differently but still continues to enjoy life.

“I don’t swim laps in the Gulf anymore, but I do go in the water and have competed in 17 triathlons since the attack. I want to compete in the Ironman in Hawaii when I’m 60. At least that’s my goal. I have done 87 triathlons in my life and the one in Hawaii would be my 100th. I hope I can do it,” Anderson said.

He also enjoys spending time with his children Sam, 23, Laura, 25 and grandson, Ayden, 3.