The 2024-25 University View Academy (UVA) Support Person of the Year is Mr. Andra Warner. Warner currently serves as a maintenance generalist for the facilities department. Warner has been on staff at UVA for ten years and was nominated for his positive attitude and diligent work ethic.
“For many years, Andra Warner was the entire facilities team for our campus,” shared Wade Henderson, the director of UVA’s Lynx Den STEAM center. “Mr. Andra is also known as ‘Sunshine.’ His nickname started because of his Florida origins but sticks due to the warmth and smiles he creates when he enters a room. He is a beloved member of our UVA staff.”
As a long time UVA staff member, Warner loves witnessing the school’s continual growth and change. UVA’s theme for the 2024-25 school year is “Changing the Game.” For Warner, changing the game means constantly striving to “step it up.”
“I’m inspired by the school itself,” Warner said. “It’s one thing to go to a job, but it’s another to love what you do.”
The work of non-instructional staff like Warner is essential to the successful operation of schools. UVA supervisors annually nominate support staff members for the Support Person of the Year recognition. The recipient is then considered for the state-level recognition, the Outstanding School Support Employee Award sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE).
“It means a lot to me to receive this award,” Warner said. “It means that I’ve put in time, and also it helps me to look back over from where I began to where I am today.”
Warner has enjoyed 42 years of marriage with his wife Patricia. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Warner is also a thoughtful artist, and often works in his sketchbook or composes poetry. Thank you to Mr. Warner for exemplifying UVA’s philosophy of finding innovative solutions and helping others. Visit UVA’s social channels to congratulate Mr. Warner on his accomplishment. Check out the video embedded below to learn more about Mr. Warner!