When Corina Andrews took a job with Boys & Girls Club of Austin, she had no idea how much it would impact her career. Let’s chat with her about what led her to teaching and what keeps her in the profession.

After graduating from college with a degree in criminal justice, Andrews was preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and a future as an attorney. She was working at the Boys & Girls Club of the Austin area and found herself drawn to spending time with the kindergartners. As director, she would often have to fill in when there was a staffing shortage and loved her time with the five and six-year-olds. “It was my favorite time of day. They just bring life out of you. They are excited to learn. They are so loving and their brains are little sponges,” she said.

She made the decision to abandon a future career in law and instead entered the teacher alternative certification program that allows individuals with a college degree to obtain their teacher certification. After the yearlong program was completed, she passed her exams, and was officially a teacher. 

She began her career in Elgin ISD and taught there for four years. During that time, she started a family and bought a house in Liberty Hill. “We wanted our family here. We felt like it was just such a welcoming community,” she said. When a kindergarten opening was posted, Andrews was excited to shorten her commute and become a part of Liberty Hill ISD. She now has two kids at Rancho Sienna Elementary and stated, “it's so much fun seeing my kids really live out being a part of Liberty Hill. They get to make connections in our neighborhood and then at school. It has been a really welcoming community and everybody feels just like family.” said Andrews.

Fellow kindergarten teacher Shannon Jones is grateful Andrews is part of Liberty Hill ISD and on her team. She said, “Corina Andrews teaches with her whole heart. She invests so much love and effort into her class!  Working with her these past few years has truly been my pleasure.”

Now in her eighth year of teaching, Andrews is leading her team’s Professional Learning Community (PLC). Andrews explained, “a PLC is our way of collaborating and taking some focused time to discuss how we can support our learners. We look at our learning standards and make sure that we're aligned across the grade level. We review our assessments and the district curriculum. It is about making that time for our students, to prioritize their learning, and make sure that we're planning for them and for their success.”

That collaboration is a model Andrews uses with her own students. They have student teacher conferences where they discuss, for example, where their writing is at and what the goal is for the end of the year. “I think a lot of times we think, well, they're just five, but actually they are five, and they have so much that they can do. If we just give them that confidence, and if we support them, they can reach such great heights. We have to believe in them as much as we want them to believe in themselves,” said Andrews. 

Her favorite part of the day is morning circle time because she gets to spend time building a relationship with her students. “I think it's important to always continue to get to know them and to help them to feel more comfortable and safe and just welcome at school,” said Andrews.

Fellow kindergarten teacher, Evings Caleb shared the impact Andrews has had on her, “Mrs. Andrews is incredible! She steps in even during the hardest moments and continuously pushes me to reach my fullest potential. She is an inspiring mentor who leads with calmness, care, and dedication. Through her consistent check-ins, support, and love, she helps those she coaches grow and thrive. Mrs. Andrews goes above and beyond, extending her time and effort to ensure others succeed. She exemplifies confidence, compassion, and excellence in all that she does.”

As Shawn Hitchcock once said, “A mentor empowers a person to see a possible future and believe it can be obtained.” Mrs. Andrews truly embodies this—she not only sees potential in her students and fellow teachers, but helps them see it in themselves. 

Thank you Mrs. Andrews for being a champion for Liberty Hill.