ABOUT: Silk Hope School Principal Angie Brady-Andrew grew up in Bennett and lives now in Silk Hope in Chatham County. A graduate of Chatham Central High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in Secondary Education and a master’s degree from UNC-Greensboro in School Administration, in addition to an advanced degree in Educational Leadership from UNC-G. Brady-Andrew has been principal of Silk Hope School for five years and has worked for Chatham County Schools for 26 years. She and her husband, Lin Andrew, have three children.
What’s unique about what you do for a living?
No two days are ever the same! That’s one of the many things that I like about my work.
What was your first paying job, and what did it teach you?
My first paying job was working in the housekeeping department of a nursing home. It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore year in high school. I had to arrive at 6 a.m., cleaned toilets and mopped floors all day and made minimum wage. I learned that it takes everyone on the team to get the job done and that every role is important. I also learned that I didn’t want to clean toilets and mop floors for the rest of my life.
What part of your job would most surprise people?
I honestly don’t think the general public realizes the number of hours teachers and school administrators work each week. Students are in school for seven hours each day but the typical workday for teachers and administrators lasts anywhere from 10-15 hours on any given day, with 3-5 hours of that time coming outside of the school day. Once home I try to take a break from work for a few hours so that I can have quality time with my family but I often resume work once my kids are in bed, sometimes working well into the morning.
What advice would you give someone considering doing the same line of work as you?
I would advise a teacher who is contemplating making the move to administration to enjoy every single moment with your students and make sure you are ready to leave the classroom. Once you leave you are likely to never return as a classroom teacher and although you have relationships with parents it’s not the same as when you are their teacher. I have such special memories of teaching and my students.
Who is your personal hero?
My parents, Doris and Winfred Brady. They have been such good role models when it comes to parenting. They created a loving, Christian home where boundaries were in place (which all kids need) and they allowed me to fail while in their care so they could help me learn valuable life lessons from those experiences. I am so blessed to have them as parents.
Your standard order at a coffee shop?
Hot Chocolate. I don’t drink coffee.
Coke or Pepsi?
Coke, hands down. My students used to try to trick me and serve me Pepsi until they learned that I could smell the difference.
Favorite weekend getaway:
Spending the weekend with my husband at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville and visiting the spa while there.
Favorite character from a Disney movie:
Sheriff Woody from Toy Story. Woody is a passionate guy who throws himself into every action. As soon as he has an instinctive thought he does it with 100 percent commitment. You’ve got to love that about his character.
Stay up late or get up early?
Both and sometimes in the same day. I try not to work while my children are up so I find that staying up late and/or getting up early provides the extra time I need to complete work related tasks.
On a snow day, you’d stay home and binge-watch:
Hallmark Christmas movies. I’ll admit they are a little cheesy and you know how they are going to end within the first couple of minutes. But that’s what makes them so enjoyable...they always have a happy ending.
What’s the best use of a snow day?
Watching it snow, playing in the snow with my kids and. riding around the community so that we can see all the beautiful, snow covered, sights.
What makes your home special?
The sweat equity that my husband has in our house makes it really special. Our house was built in the 1880s and was remodeled by my husband and a few local carpenters when we purchased it in 2002. Some of the original boards and fireplace mantels were preserved during the remodeling.
The TV program that’s a “must-see” for you:
I don’t have one. Life is too busy to get hooked on a TV show. I’m always amazed when folks talk about a favorite show. Maybe when my kids are all grown up and no longer at home I’ll watch Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix. I hear it’s really good.
What radio station do you listen to most frequently?
I recently ditched the radio and have started listening to podcasts. I have enjoyed them so much that I have complained that my drive to work is not long enough. There are some thoughtful conversations taking place about so many topics.
One day, when you have time, what would you like to learn how to do?
I would love to learn how to play the guitar. I enjoy signing and it would be so cool to be able to sing and play.
Your ideal dinner guest list (living or dead, up to six invitees) includes:
I would love to have dinner with my husband’s deceased sisters, Gayla Andrew and Janie Andrew Lindley. I never knew them, they had both passed away before he and I met, but I have heard so many wonderful things about them from my husband. I would love our children to meet them and hear them tell stories about their daddy when he was a little boy.
Favorite place to eat:
My mother-in-law’s kitchen. She is an excellent cook. So glad she taught my kids so much about the basics of cooking.
The credo or motto you like to try to live by:
Blossom where you are planted. I believe that we are planted where we are needed most. We can choose whether to wither up and die or we can choose to blossom. The choice is yours.
Where would someone be most likely to find you on a Saturday night?
Having dinner out with my husband and kids and then returning home to surf Netflix for a family friendly movie that pleases the varied tastes and interests of each of the kids. Often times the latter is not accomplished.
What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?
Happy Days. The Fonz, Ritchie and the entire cast of characters were invited into my house weekly when I was a child. What a great show. Why aren’t there shows like that anymore?
If you could create one rule that all society had to live by, what would it be?
Be kind! No explanation needed.