There is a new face at PA Distance Learning Charter School! Last fall, Ms. Amy Watenpool joined the team as part of the Special Education Department. She teaches grades 9-12. 

Originally from McCandless Township, Pennsylvania, Ms. Watenpool earned her B.S.Ed degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and her M.S.Ed degree in Special Education from Duquesne University. She has also received her Early Childhood (N-3), Elementary (K-6), and Special Education (PK-12) Pennsylvania teaching certifications.

When she’s not creating IEPs for students or hosting resource rooms, Ms. Watenpool enjoys rock climbing, hiking, traveling, baking, reading, and crafting. Her favorite book is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab.

During her junior year of high school, Ms. Watenpool acquired her first job as a preschool classroom aid at Northmont Child Development Center. She eventually became the director of the center, a position she held for 10 years. With her degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, it was a natural progression for her to take on the role when the organization’s original director retired in 2012. 

She was also a Special Education teacher at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh before coming to PA Distance.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know my students on both a personal and educational level throughout the remainder of this year,” Ms. Watenpool explained.

“I’m learning a lot about them educationally, but I really enjoy discovering their interests and hobbies, and what they do outside of school, so I can incorporate it into what we’re doing in the classroom.

“My goal is to create a well-rounded experience for all of my students.”

When asked what her favorite part about her new position has been so far, Ms. Watenpool responded, “I love getting to see how a virtual school works and how students interact with their learning in a way that I haven’t experienced before. 

“The students here really embody our Core Four positive habits; it’s amazing to see how they thrive in an online environment.

“What I really connected with when I first started was our mission. Our school provides so many opportunities for students to take what they are given and run with it!”

For more information about the Special Education Department at PA Distance, click here.