Dr. Andrea Cummings

Dr. Andrea Marie Cummings is an educational leader with a focus on building excellence in teachers, students, academic programs, and non-profit organizations. In her 22+ years as an educator and administrator, she has worked with students ranging from elementary school to undergraduate levels. She has served as an education leader and school administrator, counselor, adjunct professor, and program director for the past 20 years, including eight years as a teacher and family social worker.

In 1997, Andrea began her teaching career at All Saints Primary School (ASPS) in her hometown of Belize City. In her years at ASPS, she taught and developed lesson plans for students in the second, fifth, and seventh grades. In 2005, she switched professions and became a Family Social Worker/Counselor for the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches (FSYR). 

Dr. Cummings was employed as an Academic Counselor and Adjunct Instructor for Edward Waters College in the TRIO program, as well as Interim Director of Upward Bound, prior to advancing to Paxon School for Advanced Studies International Baccalaureate program located in northwest Jacksonville. She also served as CEO and Head of School for DePaul School of Northeast Florida, where she was responsible for supervising and managing the day-to-day operations of the school. Her duties included overseeing the operating budget, academic standards, curriculum development, employee hiring and training, extramural activities, and student safety. Her responsibilities also included oversight of curriculum implementation for students with learning differences (e.g., ADHD, ADD, and Dyslexia).

​In addition, Dr. Cummings served as Executive Director for Take Stock in Children of Nassau County, where she supervised and managed all aspects of TSIC program operations. She oversaw the operating budget, managing a 3.5 million dollar scholarship account, fundraising and grant writing, strategic planning, employee hiring and training, integrating program operations with Nassau County School District initiatives, and forming partnerships with outside organizations to expand and enhance services for scholars. Other responsibilities include working in collaboration with Florida Pre-Paid and the Florida Department of Education to meet and exceed program standards, implementing a system to track key performance indicators—including student data—mentor participation, and fundraising.

Andrea has developed and led partnerships between non-profits, special education, and counseling in K-12 and tertiary institutions. She has taught and led workshops on learning strategies for students, special education, diversity, equity and inclusion,  teacher as a professional, autism, professional development, educational philanthropy, outreach initiatives, and international school networking. 

Dr. Cummings is a gifted teacher, public speaker, and presenter. She is a scholar. She has served as a speaker for events and regularly presents at professional conferences. 

Specialties: Education Leadership, Counseling, Special Education Consultant, Program Development, Academic Support Services, Teacher Education, Teaching Students with Learning Differences, Dyslexia, Teacher as a Professional, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Assessment and Evaluation, School and Community Relations, Grant Writing and Non-Profit Development. 

Dr. Cummings is currently serving on the Board of Florida TRIO as the Parliamentarian and was selected to attend the Emerging Leadership Institute with the Council of Opportunity in Education in Washington, DC. She was recently honored by the Southeast Small Business Magazine as one of Jacksonville’s Top 30 Women of Influence.