When the team at Willow Charter Academy gathered for a surprise ceremony on a recent Friday, Dean of Middle School Andrea Robert was the only person in the room who didn’t know what was happening. Even after being named the National Heritage Academies® (NHA) 2025-26 Dean of Excellence award winner, the shock was real, she hadn't even realized she was nominated.
"It has been so overwhelming and emotional," Andrea shared.
While the award recognizes the top tier of leadership across the NHA network, for Andrea, the honor reflects a career built on a simple, unwavering principle: You cannot lead others where you are not willing to go yourself.
A Pivot Toward Purpose
When Andrea first set out on her career path, she didn’t have "teacher" on her radar. In fact, she was enrolled in nursing school, fueled by a desire to help others. However, a pivotal moment during her clinical rotations changed everything.
“I didn't have the stomach for nursing,” Andrea laughed, recalling a particularly difficult session.
It was the Dean of Nursing who first planted the seed, suggesting that while clinical nursing might not be the fit, Andrea had the heart of an educator. Soon after, a poignant comment from her young daughter, who missed her mom at a cheer competition due to a hectic medical schedule, pushed Andrea to make the leap into education so she could be present for her family and her community.
Leading with Data and Heart
That leap landed her in a career defined by "leading from the heart." Dean Robert doesn't believe in "I think" or "I feel" when it comes to student growth; she believes in the facts. By using data to strip away the ego, she creates a clear roadmap for her teachers, helping them see exactly where a student is struggling and how to bridge the gap.
However, she never asks her staff to do something she isn't willing to do herself. It is a common sight to see Andrea take over a classroom for hours so a teacher can focus on lesson planning, or modeling a difficult math standard to show students, and staff, that she is still a teacher at heart.
"I love being around the younger generation because they have so many possibilities," Andrea said. "Sometimes I even go teach a class just to make sure I still understand what teaching is like. It helps me connect with them, and they respect the teachers more when they see I’m right there with them."
At the heart of her success is a culture of mutual responsibility. Andrea doesn't just set goals for others; she asks her team to hold her accountable to her own professional standard of being in the classrooms 80% of the time. As she often reminds her staff, it is the commitment to shared growth that continues to elevate the entire academy.
A Village on the Rise
Under the direction of Principal Jessica Dominique and the leadership team, Willow Charter Academy has seen a shift in community engagement. From Grandparents Day turnouts that exceeded expectations to partnerships with local organizations like 52 Shepherds that help families in need, Willow has truly become a community hub.
“Willow is on the upward movement,” Andrea says. “We established a mission, and everybody got on board.”
Growth Through the NHA Platform
Dean Robert is quick to point out that her growth into an "Excellence" recipient wasn't accidental. She credits NHA for providing a professional development platform that pushed her out of her comfort zone. Through the Principal Prep program and Dean Academy, she was challenged to ask tough questions and take on roles that felt "uncomfortably" transformative.
"I don't think NHA gets enough credit for what they do to prepare their leaders," she notes. "They see something in us, and they propel us. They put us in positions to get uncomfortable, so uncomfortable that you’re growing. I’ve grown from every one of those moments."
Wisdom for the Next Generation
Reflecting on her journey, Andrea offers simple but powerful advice to young educators: Perfect your craft.
"Spend the time with yourself. If you don't know the standard, take the time to understand it. Never stop being a student of your own curriculum," she advised. "And treat every child as if they were your own. If that’s your child sitting there, you’re going to make sure that child gets it."
Congratulations, Andrea Robert, on your well-deserved Dean of Excellence Award! Thank you for dreaming big for the students of Willow Charter Academy.
About Willow Charter Academy
Willow Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Lafayette, Louisiana, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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