Ms. VanDerBeck has an uncommon past

Published: January 6, 2011

Math teacher Valerie VanDerBeck teaches Honors Algebra II, Algebra II, and Algebra IB. She hasn’t always been a math teacher, she was an engineer for five years before she decided the corporate world wasn’t for her. She then decided to get a degree in teaching.

“I love math and I had a background in it in engineering,” VanDerBeck said.

VanDerBeck was inspired to teach math by her math teachers in high school after she realized she wasn’t interested in engineering.

“I put too much pressure on myself [being a teacher],” VanDerBeck said, “I take it personally when a student doesn’t do well in my class.”

VanDerBeck has also been the sponsor of Mu Alpha Theta for the last three years at FHN.

“I wanted to do something extra with the kids outside of the classroom,” VanDerBeck said.

By Taylor Bartram