By the age of 13, she was balancing a checkbook to keep the lights on. By 14, she was raging against the world. And by 15, she was sneaking out into the woods to play laser tag. Now, she’s known for coming up with math problems inspired by real family mishaps, and sporting stilettos for seven periods a day in the classroom.

Mrs. Andross is not the average high school teacher–she’s wildly different.

From a turbulent childhood to the structural subject of mathematics, Mrs. Andross strives to make numbers more meaningful and fun for her students at Ludlow High School.

From the Pits to the Peak

“I was raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (we call it ‘The Pits’),” Andross says. 

Life in ‘The Pits’ wasn’t easy. A middle child in a struggling family, she began working at the age of 10 to help put food on the table. At 13, she was handling family finances, and at 14, she was–accordingly–a “demon child, angry at the world.”

Yet, amidst all of that chaos, there was a spark. At 15, she found solace in the piano and the school’s chorus. This newfound interest in music led her to take on the bass guitar, which ultimately led to jam sessions in the attic with friends. 

“We never made it out of the attic,” she jokes. “But it was a lot of fun.”

That sense of rebellion still remains in her personality today. Known for her wit, dry humor, and unapologetically bold energy, Mrs. Andross has become an iconic and at times mysterious presence at LHS.

An Acciental Educator

After high school, Andross vowed never to step foot in a classroom again. “I now joke about that–I’m permanently in high school,” she laughs. 

Her earlier career was in retail, where she quickly climbed the ranks, becoming a district manager for Club Santa Fe at 23-years-old. But life had other plans.

As a single mom of a one-year-old, the 60-hour work weeks just weren’t making sense anymore. She jumped into studying electrical technology and began to tutor in math. When her professor needed surgery, she stepped up to teach first-year students, and something clicked.

After some time working in manufacturing electronics, Andross went back to school for her bachelor’s in math and education from Westfield State University, and later, her master’s from Western New England University. In 2005, she began teaching at Ludlow High School and has been here ever since.

Routine, Rhythm, and Real Talk

“Her class was very routine, and I liked that,” says Junior Natalia Houlihan, who appreciated Andross’s organized structure. “It’s a challenging class,” she adds, “But I enjoyed her projects, like the Clue one we did.” 

Andross’s teaching style blends the precision and seriousness of mathematics with a personal touch. “Math was the only class I liked in high school,” she admits. “It made sense. There was a final solution, and it could be worked out logically.” That clarity, added to her personal experience, is why she strives to teach her students to appreciate the subject.

She brings her sense of humor into every lesson and is able to inject real-life ideas into numerical concepts. “Most of the word problems I use in my classes are from real events and family,” says Andross. 

That relatability allowed interest in the classroom, as Junior Zoe Velevitch says, “She’s wildly different from other teachers, and that’s why I like her.” 

The Math Witch of LHS

“She has a fun personality,” says Junior Marcelina Pecak. “And she really likes Halloween.” 

That much is clear to any of her students, or anyone who’s seen her go all out for the spooky season, as the classroom is always decorated with Halloween-esque decor. 

When prompted to answer the witch allegations, Andross leans into them. She claims, “I haven’t turned anyone into a frog… yet.”
Outside the classroom, she is, according to her son, a “shoe-aholic”, with over 50 pairs of heels, ranging from 2 to 4 inches each (the 2’s are for breaks, obviously). 

Almost as famous as her high heels, Andross is known for delivering peak sarcasm in class, sometimes leaving students to wonder if they’ve been roasted or motivated. “Not everyone gets it,” she admits. But for those who do, it makes the class all the more fun.

While she’s quick with her quips, she’s just as quick to support students who may be struggling. Her expectations are high, but so is her willingness to help. Whether she’s explaining a difficult concept or joking about turning a student into a small animal, there’s no question that her presence in class is one-of-a-kind.

When she’s not solving equations or grading quizzes, she can be found in her garden tending to her five flower beds at home, or also hiking, swimming, and maybe encountering more scenarios for future word problems. 

Connection before Calculation

Though math is the center of her teaching, it’s the human connection that drives her. “My favorite part of the day is in the morning when students stop by to say ‘hi’ and tell me what they’ve been up to,” she claims. “And my favorite part of teaching is when the math makes sense to the students.” 

Andross is more than a teacher, she’s a mentor who can see the potential in students even if they can’t themselves. She’s able to take tough subjects and make them more approachable, which resonates with her journey–someone who found clarity in logic, expression in music, and ultimately purpose in teaching. 

While she may not have ever toured with her attic band, nor is she stirring potions and conjuring spells (are we sure?), Mrs. Andross has made a lasting impact on LHS in her own way. She once believed she’d never step foot in a school again, but now, here she is. 

In a school full of educators, Mrs. Andross stands out–not just with her heels and holiday spirit, but for the way she turns math into something memorable. Her journey, humor, and heart prove that even the most unexpected paths can lead to a meaningful impact, one equation at a time.