The assembly had been called to celebrate a second-grade teacher who was named a finalist for National Heritage Academies'® (NHA®) Excellence in Teaching Award. Krause was thrilled to be there to cheer on her colleague. But as Principal Ira Kleiman neared the end of a moving speech about a second, surprise honoree, Krause’s inner detective, a trait that usually prompts her husband to nickname her "Columbo", completely missed the clues.
"Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the huge NHA banner," Krause recalled with a laugh. "I kind of looked and then turned away, one of those double takes of, 'What is happening?'"
When her name was announced as the official Excellence in Teaching Award winner, the master investigator burst into tears. The surprises didn't stop there. Moments later, her whole family walked into the gym to celebrate her. Even more touching, the students chosen to hold the massive NHA banner were the very same children Krause had taught during her first and second years as a kindergarten teacher at Westfield.
"To see that they were the ones who kind of started this whole journey here, that was a very, very special touch," Krause said.
Andrea's family surprised her at the all-school assembly to announce her win.
A Journey Rooted in Literacy
Krause’s path to Westfield began long before the school opened its doors. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University in 2007, she spent 12 years at a charter school in Detroit, dedicated to early childhood education. In 2019, feeling a calling for a new challenge, she joined the founding staff at Westfield Charter Academy as a kindergarten teacher.
To say it was an adventurous start is an understatement. Halfway through her first year, a global pandemic hit. Navigating a brand-new school, a new community, and the sudden shift to virtual learning would test anyone, but Krause used the time to deepen her craft, later attending graduate school for literacy.
Three years ago, she pivoted into her current hybrid role as an Academic Specialist and Instructional Coach. It’s a demanding "jack-of-all-trades" position that allows her to fulfill two passions: guiding her fellow educators and directly changing the trajectory of students' lives through reading.
"At the end of the day, we know reading is the key to a lot of success in life," Krause says. "Without that, we can't do much."
While her heart will always belong to early childhood foundations, this year brought a shift. Krause has been working heavily with third and fourth graders on reading intervention, utilizing advanced science of reading frameworks.
For Krause, success isn't just a static data point on a spreadsheet, though she closely tracks data. It's found in the small, daily pivots. Just recently, noticing a few of her older students consistently confusing the words where and were, she built a custom sorting activity to help bridge the gap.
Coaching with Grace and Respect
When she isn't pulling small groups of students, Krause is wearing her instructional coach hat, partnering with teachers across the building to help them hone their skills. It's a role that requires immense trust.
"In the beginning of the year, it's really about building relationships," Krause explains. "If we're going to talk about things that might be a little uncomfortable at times, I want them to know I'm coming from a place of support and respect. It's not about 'you have to do it my way.' I always preface it with: I'm not evaluating you, I’m here to come alongside you."
Her advice to new teachers navigating the beautifully exhausting realities of the classroom? Give yourself permission to be human.
"It's not something you're going to master overnight. It takes three to five years to truly learn a curriculum with fidelity. Never be afraid to ask for help or ask questions. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed and feel silly asking for help, but teaching is not about shutting your office door and clocking out. It is a building community."
Westfield's Academic and Instructional Coach Andrea Krause with her students.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite holding one of NHA's highest honors, Krause remains incredibly humble, crediting her success to the unwavering support of Principal Kleiman, her deans, and her resilient co-workers.
On tough days, because every educator has them, Krause stays motivated by a simple goal. Leave whatever is happening outside the school at the double doors and greet every child with a smile, a hug, or a nod.
"I can't remember what I ate for dinner last night, but I can remember students that I had four years ago," Krause smiled. "To call them by name and give them that piece of respect makes a difference."
When the banners are packed away and the school year ends, Krause knows exactly what she wants her true legacy to be at Westfield Charter Academy.
"I just hope that they know that my students are loved," Krause said. "I just want them to know that they were loved throughout their journey."
Congratulations Andrea! Thank you for all you do for your students and the Westfield community.
About Westfield Charter Academy
Westfield Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Redford, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies® network, which includes 103 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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