About+Ms.+Vanderpool

The 2016-2017 school year marks the start of my 23rd year as a Social Studies teacher at Vestal High School. Prior to working here, I subbed for nearly five years during a time when Social Studies teachers were in little demand. I also spent about 15 years as a private music teacher (piano, guitar, percussion), and worked with and composed music for area marching bands and drum and bugle corps. Music continues to be a major part of my life even as a Social Studies teacher, and I frequently use songs as entry tasks to get students thinking about making connections. Believe it or not, I also spent several years operating a used car lot, as well as a few years working as a newspaper reporter.



 I am the third generation of my family to live on the family farm i n Waverly, NY that has been in my family since 1925, and where I have two wild and crazy dogs (Bella & Buffy), two giant black barn cats (Indy & Andy), and one elderly horse, Sassy (33). When I'm not preparing lessons, updating the wiki, or grading essays, I love to be outside doing something that I can look back on at the end of the day and admire. I have a large family - many of whom are teachers in neighboring districts - and sometimes believe that there may be no happier family on snow days than mine. I'm also active as a board member at Stray Haven Humane Society & SPCA in  Waverly and enjoy trying to find homes for the many abandoned animals th ere and educating people about the importance of spaying/neutering their pets. Need a dog? cat? rabbit?

Educationally I have a BA in Political Science from Binghamton University, a Masters in Education from Elmira College, and a Certificate of Advanced Study from LeMoyne College. I am NYS certified in N-6 elementary education, 7-12 Secondary English, and 7-12 Secondary Social Studies. I thought I may want to be an administrator at one point in my career and also have administrative certification as a building and district leader. The classroom is where I most want to be professionally, so that's where I intend to stay.

At the high school, I am the yearbook co-adviser with my Social Studies colleague Brian Weisse, and the school newspaper and school store adviser.