Chances are anyone who has been on the Anderson Middle School campus since 1989 has probably been in contact with Annie Mae Green Thompson, better known as “Maw-Maw” to students and faculty.

Thompson, who playfully tells students at the school she is 90-years-old, is a retired elementary school teacher who worked for 25 years in the Iberia Parish public school system.

After she retired from the school system, Thompson said she immediately returned to her former profession as a substitute teacher, where she has worked at a number of schools. Thompson is an alumna of Grambling State University.

Ruste Romero, from left, Annie Mae Green "Maw Maw" Thompson, Sunetra James, Hannah Mire, Jaquille Knatt and Tamira Jackson at Anderson Middle School. - Lee Ball/The Daily Iberian Advertisement

“For the last 10 plus years, I have always been at Anderson Middle School because the faculty has been so nice to me here,” she said. “I really like the people here, and the children treat me great. Everyone at the school treats me like I am their surrogate mother.”

Thompson said the name Maw-Maw started when she began substituting because everyone called her  Mommy at Coteau Elementary.

“Former students used to see me substitute all the time at different schools in the parish, and they would tell their kids I was like their mommy when they were in school,” she said. “Then, parents told their kids to call me Maw-Maw and the name stuck.”

To stay ready for the next day at work, Thompson said she has followed the same routine for years.

“From Monday through Friday, I wake up every morning at 4:30 a.m. and eat my breakfast, take my bath and say my prayers,” she said. “From there, if the secretaries from the school call me, all I have to do is put on my clothes and come to work at the school.”

Thompson said the only thing that is different from when she was a full time teacher is the students.

“Back then, the kids respected you more,” she said. “When I first started teaching, there was better discipline. I have and always enjoy doing what I am doing.”

Principal James Russell III said when he arrived at Anderson Middle School in 2004 he found Maw-Maw at the school.

“Mrs. Thompson is a wonderful volunteer, but she does work in the capacity of a substitute teacher pretty much on a full time basis,” Russell said. “She is what I would call our No. 1 non-faculty supporter, but she is pretty much like faculty here. Anything you ask Maw-Maw to do, she does it and the kids absolutely love her.

“Whenever we need that extra person or help, Maw-Maw is there. She is a good team player, and I am glad to have her. She is well loved by all and does a great job at the school.”       

Betty Wells, a teacher’s aide at the school, said Thompson is her play mother.

“She is very likable, and she is doing a tremendous job inspiring, counseling and teaching life skills, not only to students but the staff at Anderson Middle School as well,” Wells said. “Maw-Maw counsels and shares her upbringing with the whole school. Each story she tells will teach someone a lesson, and believe me, she has helped to steer many people in the right direction.”

At recess, students can be seen hanging around Thompson talking to her about how their day is going.

Dylyssia McAlister and Harold Laposte, both eighth-grade students at the school, said they enjoy Thompson.

“Maw-Maw is very lovable, and you can talk to her about anything that is going in your life,” McAlister said. “I love being around her. Whenever I need someone to talk to, I know where I can find her.”

Laposte said Maw-Maw is religious and a good person to talk to.

“Maw-Maw is also a very good teacher and breaks problems down until you get them,” Laposte said. “She is a good person, and I love having here around here.”

Whenever Thompson is not at school, she said she loves to spend time with her family and at church, where she is a member of Loreauville’s Mount Zion Baptist Church.

“I love to spend time with my husband of 54 years, Eddie Thompson Sr., my two kids Eddie Thompson Jr., and Savior Dianna Thompson Taylor along with my grandkids,” Thompson said. “I always wanted to be an educator since I was a little girl because I always loved teaching.”