MEET OUR TEAM!
We are so excited about our innovative and experienced team!
Anything new especially requires creative ideas and input, experience, hard work, passion, resilience, and determination. We have an amazing team at Vandermont. Learn a little bit about them below!
Evan Dalrymple
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Having served in Christian schools throughout his career, each experience has helped him develop greater offerings of spiritual wisdom, skill enhancement, and curriculum development for both students and staff.
As a Colorado native, having grown up in the Four Corners Area, he is a true son of the West and a proud third-generation miner, working in both Uranium and Gold mining operations prior to pursing college.
​"Serving all levels of children and adult learners, I have been privileged to observe first-hand the best possible curriculum, strategies, and methods for meeting the growing needs of learners. He has also created, directed, and evaluated programs for PreK—Graduate-level learners and understands the importance of solid learning/motivational tools rooted in strategic, age-appropriate, common-sense practices- those which are ready to assist in learning and promote quality, lifelong results, all while establishing meaningful relationships central to desired outcomes."
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Evan has been an Educator in some capacity since 1981, having taught in both public and private Christian schools and served as an instructor, Head Coach, high school athletic director, Secondary School Principal, and Head of School.
"From the moment I discovered Vandermont, I knew in my spirit that this environment is like no other, unique in its academic, relational, and spiritual development mantra. I am so very excited to be a part of this incredible vision. I assure you I will give my best in every way to help Vandermont fulfill its God-breathed, anointed mission and ask for your prayers to that end.
​I am the proud father of 5 adult children and husband to the most wonderful woman in the world, at least in my world…Christa. I love spending time with family and friends, serving Elevate3in1 Foundation families (underserved/fatherless youth ages 5-20), and fly-fishing whenever I can get out into God’s creation and throw out a line!"
“God has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
Andrew Podoll
Director of Pedagogy/Associate Head of School
Andrew grew up a geologist. Inspired by travel, his curiosity was nurtured by his parents, and his creativity was fueled by MacGyver. God led Andrew into an early retirement at the age of 28 when He revealed to Andrew what education could be. Spend a conversation or two with Andrew and you’re sure to hear him say, “Education found me.” That can only be the work of the Holy Spirit. Over the past eight years of leading at The Delta School in Wilson, AR, under the tutelage of Jenifer Fox, he helped build one of the most innovative and student-centered schools in the world. Andrew is excited for a new educational adventure here in NE Texas. His wife, Meredith, and 3-year-old son, Pierson, have the same bug for travel, and they, too, are partners in transforming education.
Today, Andrew finds himself at the intersection of a complex system of US American education and a society wanting something better for the young minds of the future. This is where he now stands. Maybe not fully retired after all, but definitely retreaded. Here Andrew can use his talents and strengths to lead others into a new journey of educational thinking. He hopes to inspire, educate, grow, tinker, and pray alongside the best educators and students in the country as we work collectively to build a new model of education that authentically meets the needs of all children...wherever they may be...and in whatever way might be best for each individual child. And the best part is, the students’ voices will be informing how we shape education forward. Andrew can’t wait to make this happen in partnership with the community here at Vandermont. He thanks you for the prayers and the opportunity to trail blaze together.
Jenifer Fox
Philosophy Education Innovation Consultant
Lifetime Warrior in the Education Revolution
"School should be a magical place, full of wonder and joy. That’s why I create contexts where children and adults can approach complex challenges with creativity and confidence. My mission is to make schools more human and learning utterly meaningful.
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Our differences shouldn’t divide us; they should bring us together to make new things, to fully engage in solving real problems, and to discover the wonder of life and the joy of love.
I speak about how to do this, and I write about it, but most importantly, I actually do it in a school, and it works. Our differences make us unique. They are our strengths and children who are lucky enough to develop theirs lead meaningful lives."
Jenifer worked with Vandermont hand-in-hand to help execute everything from the smallest detail to the largest concepts in it's first year!
NATALIE NEWTON
SPARK STUDIO EDUCATION DESIGNER/CURRICULUM ADVISOR
Natalie Newton is a Mississippi native who planted her roots in Texas 7 years ago. She has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction, and has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade as a classroom teacher. She has a son and daughter who also attend Vandermont! She is so excited for her family to be immersed in the Vandermont community this year! Natalie stands firm on the idea that uniqueness is something to be celebrated. She desires to help her students discover and apply their own unique learning and leadership styles! Her classroom is a safe, equitable, and caring environment where students are able to express their thoughts and feelings and show empathy for others. She loves to look around the room and see communication, critical thinking, creativity, goal setting, leadership, and innovation. She aspires for students to develop positive attitudes towards learning so that they will take pride and ownership over all of their achievements. She is so happy to have found a school where Christian leadership, everyday life skills, deep creativity, responsibility, goal setting, and positive social interactions are fostered for both students and staff. She understands that learning through our mistakes gives us the tools that we need to conquer more in the future, which she believes is a good skill for people of every age! She is so excited about meeting her Vandermont students and their families this year! She says, “Learn, Lead, LIONS!!”
ROBIN McGINNIS
ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
​Robin has always had a passion for children, education, and Jesus. After High School, she spent two years at Eastfield College, learning everything she could about Early Childhood Education. She has spent more than 20 years in the classroom with children ages 2 through Pre-K.
Four years ago, an opportunity arose to move out of the classroom and into the office. This sparked a new passion for supporting others. She brings with her experience in admissions, enrollment, clerical duties, and teacher support from a private Christian preschool.
Robin enjoys spending time with her husband and four boys in the outdoors. She also enjoys reading, painting, and crafting.
ABBIE KILGORE
THRESHOLD STUDIO EDUCATION DESIGNER/ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Abbie joins the Vandermont Team with a unique background of education and ministry experience. She is passionate about making engaging learning environments where children get to experience what they are taught. She is passionate about students understanding their value as individuals made in God’s image, and the ways in which they can grow alongside one another as a community.
After graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Health, Abbie joined Sky Ranch Camp’s Fellowship and Master’s Programs. In these roles, her love for teaching was developed as she worked as an Outdoor Education Instructor. Through these programs, Abbie earned a Masters of Arts in Global Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. After completing her time at Sky Ranch, Abbie accepted a job in women’s ministry at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX.
LIZ PAYNE
LAUNCH STUDIO
EDUCATION DESIGNER/SECONDARY PROGRAMMING
​Raised by a teacher and a pastor, Liz has spent her life in schools and churches. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Science and began her teaching career as a high school science teacher. After many years in the classroom, she earned a Masters of Library Science degree from Sam Houston State University and spent six years in high school libraries. She believes that learning through projects and hands-on experiences is the best way for students to understand concepts deeply. She is excited to bring her blended background of technical instruction, research and literacy, and project-based learning to Vandermont. When not at school, she enjoys camping and hiking with her family, swimming, and reading.
AMY PEREA
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DISCOVERY/ADVENTURE STUDIO EDUCATION DESIGNER
Amy Perea has been married to Mike for 12 years and is a proud mom of 3 children. Anthony and Ava will be joining her at Vandermont this next school year. Alyssa is three years old and will hopefully be joining Vandermont soon. She is highly honored that she and her family will be a part of what God is doing at Vandermont.
She is passionate about God's word and having intentional conversations. She loves to spend time with her family and creating memories. When not spending time with her family, she enjoys an extended lunch date, laughing with her friends.
She is joining us with over ten years of experience in education. She has taught in Mesquite and Rockwall ISD. Her experience ranges from Kindergarten through 8th grade. She cultivates an environment that encourages students to recognize the strengths and positive qualities in one another. Her mission as a teacher is to have each student feel valued and empowered as they leave her classroom. She is eager to begin her journey at Vandermont.
WENDY
RAY
DISCOVERY STUDIO + ASL
Mrs. Ray is passionate about the Deaf Community, her School Communities, Church, and using her gifts of sign language. She was born with severe hearing loss, but that has not stopped her from singing her heart out with praise and worship music. Mrs. Ray has had some of her hearing restored with the help of cochlear implants, and she is able to hear and read lips very well.
Mrs. Ray graduated with a Bachelor’s in Arts and Performance from University of Texas at Dallas with a double major in photography and education. She has put her education degree to good use teaching American Sign Language for a variety of schools and tutoring clients. She put her photography degree to good use by creating her own business, Wendy Ray Photography.
When she isn’t pouring her heart into her work, you will find her spending time with her husband, spoiling her precious daughter, Abigail, reading and signing her WORD, watching movies, and traveling.