Union Catholic's Noreen Andrews Honored with 2026 Scouting America Union County Lifetime Achievement Award

Noreen Andrews has spent 40 years building Union Catholic into a place where education meets innovation, where students grow academically and spiritually, and where teachers are encouraged to take risks and embrace new ideas.

This fall, Scouting America Union County will recognize Andrews with its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the organization's highest honors—for her exemplary service, leadership, and dedication to the community. The recognition will be presented on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Shackamaxon Country Club.

Union County Life celebrates educators and institutional leaders who shape their communities, and Andrews embodies that role. As Assistant Principal at Union Catholic in Scotch Plains, she has been a cornerstone of the school's culture—a mentor to teachers, a guide for students, and a visionary who has kept the school at the forefront of educational innovation.

Long before online and blended learning became standard, Andrews was instrumental in launching Union Catholic's pioneering partnership with VHS Learning to expand educational opportunities. She helped guide the implementation of the Canvas Learning Management System and drove numerous digital initiatives that transformed teaching and learning across the school.

In recent years, as artificial intelligence began reshaping education, Andrews stepped into that moment too. She led Union Catholic's thoughtful integration of AI into the classroom while keeping ethics, responsibility, and student well-being at the center. That work helped position Union Catholic as a national leader in educational innovation, earning the prestigious 2025 RAIL Certificate of Achievement and Responsible AI in Learning Endorsement for excellence in AI literacy, safety, and ethics.

Throughout four decades, Andrews has done this while remaining deeply committed to Union Catholic's Catholic mission and core values: community, respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion. She has mentored generations of teachers, supported families, and created a learning environment where students are encouraged to grow in every dimension—academically, spiritually, and personally.

"Her dedication to serving others, her passion for education, and her commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world have earned her the admiration of colleagues, students, parents, and the broader community," Union Catholic noted in celebrating the award.

The Scouting America Union County Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law for over 115 years through outstanding community service, demonstrated leadership, and the respect they have earned from those around them.

Union County Life covers educators, institutional leaders, and community achievements across Scotch Plains and all Union County municipalities.

FAQ

Q: Who is Noreen Andrews?
A: Noreen Andrews is the Assistant Principal at Union Catholic in Scotch Plains and has served the school and community for over 40 years. She is recognized as an educational leader, mentor, and innovator who has shaped Union Catholic's culture and academic excellence.

Q: What is the Scouting America Union County Lifetime Achievement Award?
A: The Scouting America Union County Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the organization's highest honors. It recognizes individuals who exemplify the ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law through outstanding community service, demonstrated leadership, and the respect they have earned from colleagues and those they serve.

Q: What are Noreen Andrews' major accomplishments in education?
A: Andrews is recognized for pioneering virtual learning at Union Catholic by establishing the school's partnership with VHS Learning, implementing the Canvas Learning Management System, and recently leading the integration of artificial intelligence into education while maintaining ethical standards and student safety. These efforts helped position Union Catholic as a national leader in educational innovation.

Q: What is the RAIL Endorsement that Union Catholic earned?
A: RAIL stands for Responsible AI in Learning. Union Catholic earned the RAIL Certificate of Achievement and Endorsement from the Middle States Association for excellence in AI literacy, safety, and ethics. This recognition reflects the school's thoughtful approach to integrating artificial intelligence into the learning environment, work that was led by Noreen Andrews.

Q: How long has Noreen Andrews worked at Union Catholic?
A: Noreen Andrews has served Union Catholic for over 40 years in various roles as an educator, mentor, and administrator. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to the school's Catholic mission and core values.

Q: When will Noreen Andrews receive her award?
A: Andrews will be recognized at the Scouting America Union County Annual Dinner on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Shackamaxon Country Club.

Q: Where can I find more information about Union Catholic and educational leadership in Scotch Plains?
A: Union County Life covers educators, schools, and institutional leaders across Scotch Plains and all Union County municipalities. For information about Union Catholic, call (908) 889-1600 or visit unioncatholic.org.