Hi! I’m Andrea Gilbert!
Growing up on our family ranch in western South Dakota, I learned that the best-laid plans often need adjusting when a storm rolls in or a fence breaks. This early lesson in adaptability has served me well through thirty years in education as a teacher, leader, and life-long learner. Just as I learned to read weather patterns and animal behavior on the ranch, I’ve developed a keen eye for reading the signals indicating when new approaches might be more effective.
I value continuous improvement of self and systems. On the ranch, you quickly learn that complex systems—whether managing seasonal grazing rotations or implementing school-wide technology initiatives—require both careful planning and the flexibility to adapt. I’ve applied this perspective while leading multiple schools through continuous improvement frameworks, planning large-scale technology rollouts, and implementing curriculum and professional learning projects. My mission statement reflects this commitment: “Learn. Because you deserve it.”
My journey through education has taken me from the classroom to leadership roles, where I’ve guided schools through significant transformations in technology, curriculum, and professional development. Just as checking a fence line on horseback gives you a different view than from the ground, my ranch background combined with my doctoral research in Education has given me a unique 360-degree perspective on how learning systems can be continuously improved and applied across industries.
When I’m not writing about the intersection of education, technology, and systems thinking, you’ll find me planning my next adventure on the trails with my best friend, reading a good book, or exploring the country – always keeping an eye out for new lessons around the next bend!
