The Bryant School District announced Monday, May 24 that they have named Samantha Vanderpool, 4th grade teacher at Parkway Elementary, as Bryant Teacher of the Year for 2020-21.
Vanderpool has been part of this elementary school since it opened three years ago. During the current school year, she taught both virtually and in the classroom. Whether online or onsite, her energy is focused on engaging all students through the use of technology.
She uses her creativity to design engaging virtual lessons. Her innovative teaching style reaches every child’s individual needs. She integrates technology, educational games, and project-based learning into her lessons which promote and increase student engagement and the students’ willingness to take risks and learn at higher levels.
Technology is the foundation of projects she developed to enhance the school culture and ensure that all students, both virtual and onsite, felt connected and loved. As the leader of the Parkway Productions Program, she reworked the Parkway News Crew to focus on using online platforms to engage more students on a daily basis. She developed the Online Lion Pride Assemblies, allowing the student body to come together to celebrate successes. Using both pre-recorded and live mobile reporting, students were able to connect with and actively celebrate the Parkway family. She also worked with students to create a podcast program to address current events and activities in their community and world.
Vanderpool created a website for her virtual students and families to be successful in the online setting. Her template was used as a model to help other virtual teachers navigate online learning. She facilitates and presents sessions for Think Tech Thursday to train fellow teachers in using technology for the betterment of all students.
Samantha Vanderpool is a Bryant alum who keeps the Hornet Spirit alive each day as she enters her school and her classroom. She will represent Bryant Public Schools in the 2022 Arkansas Teacher of the Year program.
The school district also announces the list of exceptional school level Teachers of the Year:
Group photo includes (l-r): Front Row: Sontreka Johnson, Bryant Junior High; Jennifer Pickett, Springhill Elementary; Samantha Vanderpool, Parkway Elementary; Abbie Bussey, Pre-K; Jennifer Holt, Salem Elementary. Back Row: Caitlin Robinson, Bryant Elementary; Denise Smith, Bethel Middle School; Fallon Arroyo, Hurricane Creek Elementary; Christy Christmas, Hill Farm Elementary; Terri Wright, Bryant Middle School; Barry Anderson, Davis Elementary. Not pictured are Robin Gilchrist, Collegeville Elementary; and Daniel Bracho, Bryant High School.