Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Mccullough.
Hi andrea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a single mother of two, I started making up songs for my kids to fall asleep and awaken to, off the top of my head. Years later, my adult children and I were having a conversation that was reminiscent of those songs. Although I didn’t think anything of those songs when they were kids, I was in awe of their impact on my kids. As a grandmother of four, I started making up songs with my grandkids in the same manner as when my kids were younger, off the top of my head. One day, I was singing a song I had made up and one of my grandkids’ father removed his headphones to listen, while playing the video game NBA 2K. He said, “that’s a catchy tune, Ms. Andrea.” It had me thinking, ‘I do this all the time; it comes naturally.’ Not only did working with the non-profit, Accelerating Men Mentoring, establish me as the liaison between the mentees and the mentors, it allowed me to work with and get to know a well-established artist/ musician. Not thinking anything of my natural ability to make up nursery rhymes, or the fact that I was working with an established musician in the industry, he and I had a casual conversation one day. I mentioned to him the comment that my grandkids’ father had made. He told me, “well, what are you going to do about it? What do you plan on doing?” He encouraged me to move forward. With his help and resources, I birthed the book, ‘Tiny Feet, Fresh Beats; Modern Songs & Rhymes for Little Minds.’
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a developing author and musician, it is challenging being in unfamiliar territory. I am learning to navigate how this industry works. I had no idea how to bring into the world the pictures I envisioned and the music that I heard. The process was made easier with the help of an experienced artist / musician assisting me every step of the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For the past two decades, I have worked for the Wake County Public School System, as an Instructional Assistant in Special Education. For the past three years, I have worked Part-Time as a Child Welfare Case Aide with the Wake County Department of Health and Human Services. In my role as an educator, I have been known to be a mother-figure (nurturer), give pearls of wisdom, and real-life advice to my students. Specialist Education is a calling that is not for the weak. It is a calling that I have answered for the past 20 years. I am most proud of the faculty and students that I have positively impacted. When I see my students walk across the stage at graduation, I smile knowing that I played a part in this milestone of success. It is fulfilling and never gets old. I am also equally as proud of being a mother, grandmother and new author / musician. My natural abilities as a parent and grandparent have fostered my success as an educator, author and musician.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
At 58 years old, I never imagined that I would be a published author. I have learned that there is no time frame for challenges that positively change your life and place you on a path towards your destiny.
Pricing:
- *Book – $15.0o
- *CD – $10.00
- *Speaking engagements – TBD
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreamccullough.com
