The University of St. Thomas

School of Education

Terri  Vandercook

Associate Professor, Department of Special Education


tlvandercook@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-4389

Academic History

Ph.D., Educational Psychology: Special Education, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1987
M.A., Education: Special Education: Profoundly/Severely/Pre-academic, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1979
B.A., Elementary Education: Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1978

Awards and Honors

  • 1993 Advocate for Inclusive Community Award, ARC Suburban
  • 1987 MNASH School Integration Leadership Award
  • 1986, 1987 Leadership Training Grant funding, Recipient
  • 1984 Pi Lambda Theta
  • 1982 Olin Consolidated School District Board of Education letter of commendation
  • 1981 Olin Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator
  • 1979 Phi Delta Kappa
  • 1978 Mary Jenson Shackelford Award

Selected Publications and Presentations

  • Vandercook, T. (2006). Transitioning from ECSE to Kindergarten: A Panel of Parents and Educators. Arc Parent Retreat and Conference, Minnetonka, Minn.
  • Vandercook, T. (2003). Perspectives on the Vision of Inclusion:  The Voices of Experience. IMPACT newsletter, University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • York-Barr, J. & Vandercook, T. (2003).  Lessons Learned on the Way Toward Inclusion. IMPACT newsletter, University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • Vandercook, T. (2003). Collaboration and Communication for School Teams. Hopkins School District, Hopkins, Minn.
  • Vandercook, T. (2003). Weaving the Tapestry of Inclusion. White Bear Lake School District,  White Bear Lake, Minn.
  • Vandercook, T. (2003). Supporting Community Expectations:  Restitution and Self-Discipline. Easter Church Confirmation Retreat,  Shakopee, Minn.
  • Vandercook, T. (2002). Faith Encounters that Walk the Talk:  Inclusive Faith Communities. International TASH Conference, Boston.
  • Vandercook, T., York-Barr, J. & Gaylord, V. (2001).  Revisiting Inclusive K-12 Education. IMPACT Newsletter, University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration. 
  • Walz, L., Vandercook, T., Sauer, J., Nelson, M., Medwetz, L., Thurlow, M. & McDevitt-Kraljic, M. (2000). Dissatisfaction X Vision X First Steps > Resistance:  A Summary of Learning from Supporting Inclusive Educational Environments Through Systematic Change. University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • Vandercook, T. (2000). Creating Classroom Communities that Welcome and Support All Students:  Seven Threads to Strengthen School Membership. St. Anthony-New Brighton School District, St. Anthony, Minn.
  • Bonner, M., Koch, T., Montie, J., Fossum, P. & Vandercook, T. (1999). The Shared Responsibility Framework for Social Interaction for Collective Investment: Introducing a Model to Enhance School Improvement. University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • Medwetz, L., Vandercook, T. & Hoganson, G. (1999). A Preferred Future Worksheet, A Process for School Teams. University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • Vandercook, T. (1999). Supporting an inclusive church school program:  Some Ideas and an Offer of Support. Easter Lutheran Church,  Eagan, Minn.
  • Vandercook, T. (1999). Weaving Tapestries of Inclusion:  Seven Threads to Strengthen School Membership. Iowa Partners in Policymaking, Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Vandercook, T., Nelson, M., Montie, J. & Bralts, B. (1998). A school Dedicated to Inclusion, Principal, 77(3).
  • Vandercook, T., Medwetz, L., Montie, J., Taylor, P. & Scaletta, K. (1997). Lessons for Understanding: An Elementary School Curriculum on Perspective Taking. University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • Montie, J., Vandercook, T. & Walz, L. (1997). Lessons for Understanding: A Teaching Curriculum on Perspective-Taking. International TASH Conference, Boston. 
  • Bonner, M., Fossum, P., Koch, T. & Vandercook, T. (1997). Enhancing Investment in Sustained School Change. National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Conference, Baltimore. 
  • Taylor, A. & Vandercook, T. (1996). Strategies for Effectively Dealing with the Challenging Issues of Time, Communication, and Change in the Pursuit of Excellence and Equity in Our Schools. School Restructuring and Inclusion Conference, Nashua, N.H.
  • Vandercook, T., Montie, J., Abery, B., Fossum, P. & Bonner, M. (1995). Shared Responsibility Case Study. University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.
  • Vandercook, T., Tetlie, R. R., Montie, J., Downing, J., Levin, J., Glanville, M., Solberg, B., Branham, S., Ellson, L. & McNear, D. (1993). Lessons for Inclusion. University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration.

Professional Memberships

  • ARC, Minnesota
  • ARC, Suburban
  • The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) [Lifetime Member]
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
  • AuSM
  • Council for Exceptional Children (Division on Developmental Disabilities and Teacher Education)
  • Friendly Hills Middle School Parent Teacher Association
  • Metro SPLISE
  • Minnesota Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
  • Minnesota Down syndrome Association
  • Phi Delta Kappa
  • Pi Lambda Theta
  • Schools Are For Everyone (SAFE) [Lifetime Member]
  • The Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (MNASH)
  • 1995 - present, Licensed Trainer, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People