An optimistic attitude, an open heart, and a beaming smile are three of the most noted qualities of Andra Wilson, winner of Laguna Blanca’s 2021 Faculty Excellence Award. Wilson embodies the phrase “walk the talk” as she sets a positive example for her students, colleagues, and Laguna families alike.
The Faculty Excellence Award recognizes recipients — nominated by their peers — for their demonstrated excellence in teaching, and their dedication to the school and its students. Thanks to an endowment established by alumni parents Steven and Marilyn Gutsche, recipients receive a cash award and a $3,000 stipend for travel, workshops, equipment, and teaching materials.
Wilson has taught physical education, health and wellness, and personal development at Laguna since 2006. She also served as assistant athletic director, PE coach at Camp Cito day camp, and coordinator of the Middle School Advisory Program for several years.
Most recently, she became Laguna’s Challenge Success coordinator, a good fit for her as the program emphasizes balance and student wellbeing, two of Wilson’s biggest passions.
Wilson infuses energy and excitement into every role she has on campus. Her love for health and wellness extends not only to Laguna students but also to the faculty. She was instrumental in bringing bi-weekly, on-campus workouts to campus for Laguna employees through Reveal Fitness.
Wilson stepped up during COVID-19, and before Laguna students were allowed back on campus, she gifted the Laguna community with more than 20 one-minute virtual fitness challenges that kept students and faculty motivated and healthy during the pandemic.
“This year alone, Andra stepped into a multitude of challenges and added COVID responsibilities to her plate in order to best serve her students,” said Melissa Alkire, head of Upper School. “This was evidenced in the Middle & Upper Athletic training program that she began when all other schools in the county were neither in-person nor able to maintain in-person afternoon activities for their schools.
“Andra’s work across every single grade at Hope Ranch ensured that our students were finding balance and joy after their early days of remote school. When sports began, Andra supported director of athletics Jason Donnelly fully, as he worked to unpack the COVID guidance ,which was evolving each week. She was his teammate and demonstrated her strong character in this role.”
Wilson always seeks to grow personally and professionally. In an effort to bring forward diversity, equity, and inclusion-responsive learning in her courses in visible and concrete ways, she partnered with Pacific Pride Foundation to hold inclusive conversations about relationships and gender identity.
Wilson’s personal goal is to inspire children and families to develop a love for sports, physical activity, and wellness. “I wish we could have an entire faculty full of Andras,” said colleague Tara Broucqsault. “She has thrived at each level at Laguna. Her pure heart inspires all those fortunate enough to call her teacher and a trusted colleague.“
Wilson grew up in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and earned her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from West Chester University. She began her career as a collegiate certified athletic trainer before pursuing teaching.
After completing her Pennsylvania teacher certification in 2003, she began a three-year career as a health and physical education teacher and coach in Central Bucks School District. Wilson moved to Santa Barbara in 2006, and has been serving in the Laguna Blanca School community since.