Andrea grew up on Long Island, New York. She attended the School of Visual Arts at Hunter College. Andrea received her Master’s Degree in Education from the Waldorf Institute at Garden City, NY. She later obtained certifications in Early Childhood, Reading K-12, Special Education, and English as a Second Language in Maryland. In 1976 she began her teaching career in the Waldorf School of Baltimore (at that time it was called The New Morning School).  Later she worked in public and private elementary and middle schools as an assistant principal, classroom teacher, reading specialist and special education teacher. She has designed and lead teaching-skills workshops and classes at international, national, and local conferences, as well as a college level reading class. After retiring from Baltimore County Public Schools in 2013, Andrea volunteered at the Waldorf School of Baltimore and at the Esperanza Center where she interpreted for immigration lawyers and their Spanish-speaking clients.  She enjoys painting, gardening, volunteer teaching in Mexico at Cuernavaca Kids Mission, studying Spanish, traveling, and being with her family.  Her husband Joe works at The University of Maryland in College Park, and her son Gavriel Swerling, an alum of WSB, is a Marine Officer and Lawyer.