Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Andrews.
Hi Victoria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Moving to Houston out of high school to attend the University of Houston (Go Coogs!) over twenty years ago was a decision I made out of convenience because I have family here but it has been one of the best choices because it’s led me to rich relationships, an extensive career in education, and calling Houston home.
Initially, I was a pre-nursing major since I had a passion for wellness, serving, learning, and connecting with people. I was focused on the path to nursing but slowly started to gravitate to education especially when I fell in love with the young people I worked with as a Minute Maid Mentor through the YMCA at Dodson Elementary. Twice a week, I tutored third graders after school in math and reading. It was exciting to create fun and engaging ways to help the students and to connect it to what they were interested in at the time. The program allowed me to really just do what I wanted so we made songs, celebrated different cultural holidays, and used nature to reinforce topics they covered during the school day. The whole experience unlocked so much for me at the time.
Reflectively, I can see how it was a blessing that I failed Organic Chemistry twiceI! That academic obstacle allowed me to really reflect on what mattered most and what brought me joy which was teaching and learning. With close to thirty credit hours, and a heart to serve, I switched my major to Education. The only person who was surprised that I was pursuing a career in education was me because my family vividly recalled me playing school with my younger siblings growing up and commonly referred to me as ‘bossy’ because of my desire to be in charge and keep things organized. My parents definitely were not shocked because they said as a kid, I was always reading and demonstrated a desire to learn. It was only after I started my educational courses did I remember that both of my aunts were educational leaders in districts in Houston and other aunts were college professors and teachers across the country. So I guess it was more of a decision to join the family business.
After several memorable years in roles ranging from elementary and middle school teachers to instructional coaches to campus leadership in Houston ISD and Spring Branch ISD, I was asked to join the remote team at Getting Smart, an organization focused on advancing equity, innovation, and future-focused learning experiences for all students, that I worked with a part of the founding leadership team at Energy Institute High School. In my current role as a Partner in Learning Design, I am able to support the designing of learning for young people and adults across the country. From facilitating professional learning experiences for adults to expanding opportunities to underserved communities there is flexibility in my position to communities in ways that far exceed what I thought was possible when I first started my educational path. Not only am I able to support the design of learning experiences, I also highlight the work of non-profits, schools, and other organizations in education through podcasts, blog writing, panel facilitation, and keynotes at educational conferences like SXSW EDU, Big Bang, the Annual Digital Learning Conference.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At this point in my life, I can see the blessing in having a winding, pot-holed, zig-zag road because every unexpected moment has led me to this exact position. When I was in my second year at UH and had to sit out almost three years because of financial challenges from my parents divorce, I couldn’t see the blessing. I also definitely didn’t see the blessing when I was a December graduate who couldn’t find a teaching position for almost 8 months and had to work two parttime jobs to make rent. As I progressed in my career, I encountered microaggressions as the only Black female campus leader in certain spaces, whether from the families I served or the colleagues I worked alongside each day. But I also know these challenges allowed me to develop resilience, demonstrate empathy, exhibit patience and compassion, and cultivate self-awareness. So while the road has been far from easy, quick, or pretty, I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned and how it allowed me to deepen my trust in God and his protection.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My title is Partner of Learning Design but I am not a huge fan of titles as they reveal so little. I believe learning environments should be as dynamic and diverse as the young people they aim to serve, and I help others design and build those spaces. I am a dream builder and connector; which I love! I believe children aren’t the only ones who need creative, unique, and engaging learning experiences so I craft them for adults too. I weave humor, joy, reflection, and relevance into learning for adults to help them fall in love with growing and learning. It’s a far cry from a sit and get session, when I’m in the space.
My work can look different depending on the clients I’m working with and I find joy and freedom in the variety. Currently, I am working alongside an organization that is considering how to best engage neurodivergent students ages 18-22 in workforce readiness skills and internships. Part of the journey is leading discovery trips to model schools across the country and imagining what’s possible for their student population as well as conducting focus group meetings with stakeholders to inform the development of the optimal school or organization. Recently I also just wrapped two communities of practice that focused on innovative assessment practices and how small learning environments can inform larger comprehensive systems.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Intentional connection and joy are two of the traits that have carried me to where I am on my career journey. I firmly believe that if I’m going to spend a quarter of my time each day working it should definitely have some fun infused in there. Laughter, whether it’s through pain or joy, takes the sting out of some of the hurt and expands the moments of joy. I can vividly recall conversations with students, co-workers, and families where my tears are soaked because of something that occurred and it made my various roles so worthwhile.
Developing genuine connection to the communities I serve and work alongside have often made my work not even seem like work. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some grueling days but because I intimately know the communities I work with, I am more than happy to invest in supporting and empowering through intentional connection. I continue to meet amazing people who I admire and am willing to learn from which has truly impacted my journey. The same journey that I once thought was deeply carved in nursing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gettingsmart.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-andrews26/
