Andrea Donegan
Andrea Donegan
Burlington, WI
2019 Campus School Ambassador Fellow
School Counselor, Dr. Edward G. Dyer School
Contact: Andrea.Donegan@ed.gov
Bio/Overview: Andrea Donegan is a professional school counselor at Dr. Edward G. Dyer School in Burlington, Wisconsin. She has proudly served students and families as an educator for the past 25 years. Andrea has worked at the elementary, middle, and intermediate level, providing individual/family support, programming, curriculum, resources, training, and leadership/advocacy with an emphasis on character development, mental health, college/career readiness, school climate and professional development. Andrea serves on her school leadership team, several district level committees, and state level organizations with the goal of developing systems to effectively improve students’ educational experience and academic success. Recognizing the importance of relationships and connections, Andrea extends beyond her professional role to engage with students informally by advising a variety of clubs including Yearbook, Theatre, Crafts and Poms. Advocating for students and families has been her number one priority for a quarter of a century (though she certainly does not feel that old!)
Educational Values/Philosophy: “Every child, every day,” exemplifies Andrea’s philosophy of education and service to students. She wholeheartedly believes that all children can learn when provided with a supportive environment, the necessary tools, and appropriately challenging curriculum. Developing college, career and community ready citizens requires providing a safe, supportive climate and nurturing the whole child by fostering academic, social/emotional and career growth. The dynamic interplay of these three domains must be recognized and opportunities created for students to grow and thrive in each area. Advocacy is at the heart of guaranteeing that the right type of system, program, and opportunity exists for each child to ensure a meaningful and effective educational experience. One of Andrea’s greatest heroes is Frederick Douglass and his words drive her purpose and passion as she works with all students – “It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men.”
Achievements: Andrea was humbled and honored to be recognized as the Wisconsin School Counselor of the Year (2015) and State Representative for the ASCA National School Counselor of the Year Award (2016). She collaboratively submitted a Wisconsin School Counseling Accountability Report to show data based programming decisions and evidence based impact, which earned her team a Program of Promise award from the Wisconsin School Counseling Association for demonstrating exceptional programming. Andrea attained the title of Master Educator as a result of earning the National Board for Professional Teaching Certification. She has been privileged to present at local, regional, state, and national conferences on a variety of topics related to educating the whole child. Andrea has secured over $176,000 in grant funding to implement programming, services, and systems to address diversity, character development, career readiness, the arts, professional development, AODA, and bully prevention. Her greatest achievement is a lifetime of advocacy for her students, and all students, in order to ensure their right to an exceptional education.
Leadership Experience: Building capacity with staff, students, and community supporters, along with advocacy and systems change are key focus areas for Andrea’s leadership work. She has served in numerous roles toward fulfilling these ends, including NBPTS consultant, Government Relations Director of Operations and currently, Board Chair for the Wisconsin School Counseling Association, NBPTS candidate mentor and School Counseling Intern/practicum supervisor. Andrea serves on many district level committees, including the following: Academic and Career Plans, Multi-tiered Systems of Support, Talented and Gifted, and Crisis Response. In her building, Andrea serves as a Team Leader, Positive Behavior Supports Director, 504 Coordinator, School Assessment Coordinator, and RtI lead team. She believes that effective leaders create more leaders and she relentlessly pursues this mission. When educators step up and step in to lead, great things happen!
Affiliations: Wisconsin School Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Wisconsin National Candidate Support Network, NBCT – EDGE Alliance.
Education: Lifelong learning is a particular passion and Andrea continually challenges herself and those around her to learn and grow both personally and professionally. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a school counseling specialization. More recently, she pursued and earned her national board certification(NBCT) and licenses for Director of Special Education, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Principal. Future pursuits including teaching, inspiring, and being inspired by students at the collegiate level, as well as authoring a book dedicated to sharing the significant role that traditions play in our lives.
Areas of Interest:
- College/Career Readiness
- Mental Health in Schools
- Character Development
- School Climate
- School Safety
- Educator Leadership
- Advocacy
- Public Policy
