Albuquerque P.E. coach retires after 50 years, starts new role

Barbara Anderson, a P.E. teacher known to colleagues and students as “Coach Andy,” has retired from teaching after 50 years in Albuquerque classrooms. She began her career in 1972 and taught at Taylor Middle School, Lincoln Middle School and Cibola High School before helping open LBJ Middle School in 1991.

Anderson spent 32 years at LBJ Middle School, where the gym was named in her honor in 2005. In 2003, she launched middle school sports teams in Albuquerque Public Schools.

“We built a community here. We built a community in this community. And I think that it’s something that everybody has a good stamp on,” Anderson said.

Fellow teacher Roberta Greenberg recalled Anderson’s support early in her own career. “When I first started teaching she introduced me to all the staff, the administrative staff, and made sure I was comfortable. That’s the kind of person she is, she is always there for you,” Greenberg said.

Friend and former teacher Leo McTigue also paid tribute. “Barb, it’s been an amazing run. You taught me a lot of ways to be a better teacher,” McTigue said.

“She’s retiring from teaching, but she’s not retiring from she’s not tired. She’s truly our golden girl,” Greenberg said.

Anderson is set to return to LBJ next year as the school’s athletic director. She said she plans to spend her summer in Alaska helping kids in a youth sports parks and recreation program.

“You get so much back from it, you can give a ton to it, but you get tons more back,” Anderson said.