Andrew Gao Xiong, born on March 17, 1976, arrived in Green Bay, WI, with an impressive educational journey. He graduated from Preble High School and pursued an English degree program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Andy later completed his Masters of Teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, followed by acceptance into the doctoral program at the University of Minnesota Education Department.

In the early 90s, Andy made history as one of the first Hmong teachers and principals in St. Paul. Over the decades, he dedicated himself to the field of education, serving as an educator and principal for both St. Paul and Minneapolis public schools. Subsequently, he spent another decade contributing to the establishment of charter schools specializing in STEM and Mutually Adaptive Paradigm programs.

Beyond his professional commitments, Andy had a diverse range of interests. In his spare time, he constructed computers, authored novels, wrote articles for local media, and even published a book titled “Weathered Hut: Secrets of the Hmong.” His educational journey culminated in the completion of a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership at St. Mary’s University in August 2018.

Andy’s passion for education extended to his role as an Adjunct Professor at Metro State University, where he instructed graduate and undergraduate courses in the Urban Teacher Program. He retired in 2020, but his dedication continued as he provided mentorship and coaching opportunities to new teachers and principals in the Twin Cities.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of Andy’s career was his commitment to bridging the digital divide. He accomplished this by refurbishing computers for underserved and diverse students, ensuring they had access to technology for their education, especially during the new era of distance learning.