“She loves her content to the peak of nerddom”: Sky View High School’s Teacher of the Year

Andrea Thompson is a force of nature. Since graduating from Sky View High School, she has earned a double Bachelor’s Degree in history and political science, studied abroad in China, and earned a Master’s Degree in book history and the techniques of analysis from the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland. After earning a teaching degree through the alternative path to licensure, she’s returned to the home of the Bobcats and is their 2025-26 Teacher of the Year.

“She’s certainly busy!” Vice Principal Brady Fonnesbeck said of Thompson. “She teaches English and Social Studies at our school. Her schedule includes Concurrent Enrollment English, US Government, Ancient World Civilizations, and she also leads our debate team. On her prep, she manages to oversee our We the People group.”

For Thompson, the path to the classroom was unconventional. “I got my Master’s Degree,” she said, “but when I came back, there were no jobs where they needed people to be able to read 16th-century Scottish handwriting!” 

This posed a challenge for someone who loves to learn, to engage, to do. For a time, she considered being a lobbyist or pursuing politics. To pass the time and give back, she volunteered with the We the People and Speech and Debate programs she’d participated in high school. 

One fateful day, her long-term mentor, Mike Rigby, pulled her aside. He looked at her carefully and asked, “Why aren’t you a teacher?”

As she reflected on his question later, a unique thought struck her. “I realized that I could go to Capitol Hill and try to make policy changes and change the world. Or, I could be a teacher and help 30 people every hour become world-changing people. The amount of impact that that could have would be astronomical.”

Thompson received further encouragement from Tessa Kunz, her former Debate coach. She decided to pursue the Alternative Path to Licensure. The process was exciting. Teaching sounds like a challenge, Thompson thought–the kind of challenge I want to try. After a couple years of dedicated part-time work, she found her full-time home at Sky View.

Nine years later, she continues to be inspired and challenged by her work with students. The content she teaches is shaped by a passion for constant learning and growth. She hopes students leave her class knowing that the struggle– to write, to understand difficult texts, to craft and deliver speeches, to wrestle with historical questions– is part of what creates resilient societies. 

“The hardest subjects are the places where I’m able to see students really challenge themselves,” Thompson said, “...when you get to see students struggle in a productive way. There’s a joy and a benefit in making things happen when they don’t come easily.” 

She envisions a world where students leave the classroom ready to engage deeply in life. “At the end of the day, I’m just trying to help students become more competent and compassionate world citizens,” Thompson shared. “(I believe) in programs that push students to think bigger than themselves.”

Sky View faculty consistently praise Thompson’s effectiveness at doing just that. 

“Andrea inspires me to be a better teacher,” Matt Wahlquist wrote. “She brings a level of content knowledge and high expectations that push students to reach deep levels of learning."

Andrea Talbot agreed. “She has more dedication and expertise in her field than most people I know, and is so enthusiastic about sharing this with her students.”

Department Head Marty Reeder chose a unique moniker to describe Thompson. “Andrea loves her content to the peak of nerddom,” he praised. “She is always seeking to expand her knowledge, and she has enriched learning for the whole department.”

Coming home to Sky View may not have been in Thompson’s original plan, but now she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I made a conscious choice to be here and to help this community,” she said. “Sky View has something special. I love the heart of it... I feel really lucky that I’ve gotten to work with a lot of my own teachers. As a student, I thought they were cool. And now I know that they are genuinely some of the best people.”

Fonnesbeck made it clear that the Bobcats feel just as fortunate to have Thompson. “Andrea is consistently excellent in her work, and she demonstrates a strong work ethic, dedication, and expertise that far exceed what is required.”

Reflecting on her passion for history, Thompson alluded to the parting words of Anne Frank when she said, “I believe people deserve to be known, even when they’re dead.”

Thompson’s work in the classroom is a testament to the power of knowing and being known. It seems certain that the learning and growth that happen as a result of her teaching will shape students and our community for generations to come.