Getting to Know Andrea Leal, Middle School Social Studies Faculty and Department Chair

Through our Faculty/Staff Spotlight series, we invite our community members to get to know Gulliver Prep teachers and staff members across every division. Our most recent spotlight features Andea Leal, Middle School Social Studies Faculty and Department Chair. Read on to explore her approach to teaching, the values she hopes to instill, and the unforgettable moments already shaping her classroom.

1. How long have you been at Gulliver, and what has made your time here especially fulfilling as a teacher?

Nine years. My time here has been fulfilling as I have taught not only every level but every grade at the middle school.  Kids are kids no matter what level they are.

2. What is one of your most memorable moments from your time at Gulliver, and is there something about you that might surprise your students or colleagues?

My most memorable time is the yearly Washington, D.C. trips and Fighting against Hunger with the Edge Program in Middle School. 

3. As a Middle School Social Science teacher, how do you keep your students engaged and motivated to explore complex historical and cultural topics?

Keeping them connected to how the issues affect us today and making sure that what we learn in the classroom always has a connection to them directly somehow.  For example, they just wrote letters to practice civic action to representatives or heads of industries to make policy changes about traffic, the environment, etc.

4. What is your favorite aspect of teaching social sciences, and why is it important to you to inspire critical thinking and global awareness in your students?

If I can teach one student to become educated and active citizens and also empathetic so they can strive to help others as they become older

5. What advice would you give to Middle School students as they transition to high school, particularly in terms of how they approach learning and critical thinking in social sciences?

HAVE FUN and DON’T stress out so much about the future…live the moment but be in the moment. When you are in class, really dig deep. When you are in clubs and sports, be there wholeheartedly.

6. How do you incorporate Gulliver’s core values (Explore, Empower, Nurture, Pioneer) into your social science lessons and classroom environment to help students grow academically and personally?

I like to encourage students to research and explore diverse cultures and histories through an inquiry-based system.  I encourage student voices and often provide choices for students to complete assignments.  I love connecting with students throughout the year and one of the things my students do is share pictures or stories from outside school via  google classroom so they can share with their classmates to create a strong class community. Personally, I love to travel and see how things work in other communities.  I love to observe similarities between different people and celebrate the differences we encounter when we travel in terms of language, food and environments.

Support Our Faculty:

Andrea inspires her young learners to explore diverse cultures and histories, empowering them to think critically about the world around them. She nurtures their growth by encouraging them to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world issues, helping them become active, informed, and empathetic citizens. Through inquiry-based projects and a strong classroom community, Andrea fosters a sense of curiosity and a desire to make a positive impact on society. Join us in celebrating our faculty and enhancing our students’ educational experiences—click here to donate.