Interview with
Marie Phelan Vedder
Pawling School Board Candidate
May 2020
Please share a little about yourself for the benefit of PCSD residents.
I grew up in Pawling from six years old, attended Kent in Connecticut, and then left for the military. I am a veteran of the war in Iraq, and after my deployment, received my BA in international studies from American University in Washington, D.C. and my law degree from Roger Williams in Rhode Island.
How have you been involved in the schools before?
I was a substitute teacher in the North Smithfield school district in Rhode Island for two years before we moved here. I was a substitute teacher in this district for one year before I started working full-time elsewhere. In a prior life, I was a house parent at a boarding school in Troy.
What experiences have you had that qualify you to serve as a trustee of the Pawling Central School District?
I have a variety of professional experience, from healthcare, to not-for-profit work, to local government. I currently work as an advocate for a domestic violence organization in Connecticut. I completed my law degree in 2014 at Roger Williams University School of Law, and worked hard to focus my education on children and families. My coursework covered the rights of children and families, immigration law, healthcare law, and mediation and negotiation.
I have had to navigate the IEP and 504 process myself, and understand what parents go through to try to meet their children’s needs.
What inspires and motivates you to serve the schools in this way?
I have spent my adult life trying to figure out how to best be of service to my various communities. Having children, though, clarified my personal and professional priorities. I returned to school in 2011 with the express intention of understanding education policy. While there, I interned at the Office of the Child Advocate for the state of Rhode Island and discovered just how much work there is to be done for our children by people who care deeply about them.
For my children, yours, and maybe, someday, theirs, I want to help make our district the best that it can be.
Anything else you would like to share with the voters?
My own two children attend the Pawling Schools and are in fourth and seventh grade. In the three years since we moved back from Rhode Island, they have enjoyed Little League ball, soccer, band, volleyball, chorus, and swimming at Lakeside.
Many of you know my mother, Mary Jane from her previous roles as music director at Christ Church on Quaker Hill, a server at Karen’s, coordinator of the library’s annual book sale, and so much more.
I myself enjoyed softball, theater, camp, youth group and so much more growing up in this town since 1985. Like so many kids, though, who grow up in small towns, for years I wanted to leave. I wasn’t gone for very long before I realized how blessed I was to call this beautiful little town home. I believe that the district is on a great trajectory under its current leadership, and want nothing more than to support it as it continues to move forward.
FULL RESUME BELOW
MARIE E. VEDDER, J.D.
EDUCATION
Roger Williams University School of Law, Bristol, RI
Juris Doctor, cum laude, December 2014
Focused on: Child Welfare and Policy
Achievement: CALI Award for highest grade in Legislative Drafting and Advocacy
American University, Washington, DC
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, May 2005
Major: Intercultural Communications and Russian Area Studies
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Center for Mediation & Collaboration RI, Providence, RI
Volunteer Mediator, 2014-2016
Co-mediate cases for low-income and pro se litigants facing civil trials in Rhode Island District Courts.
Office of the Child Advocate, Cranston, RI
Legal Intern, 2012
Drafted motions requesting medical review hearings for minors who were wards of the state and taking five or more prescription medications. Attended family court in Providence and Kent Counties. Observed investigations at Rhode Island Training School and various group living facilities throughout Rhode Island. Researched and wrote background memoranda regarding youth homelessness and the consent decree for the Training School, and identified and shared useful case law for supervising attorneys. Conducted intakes via phone.
EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington, MA
Residence Director, 2019
Ensured that students had a safe and emotionally secure living environment which supported the educational goals of Simon’s Rock, working both independently and collaboratively as part of the Campus Life team.
Helped to resolve and mediate conflict between students in my residence hall. Upheld the standards of conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. Utilized Restorative Practices as a tool for building community and addressing conflict in my residence hall and across campus.
Pawling Central School District, Pawling, NY
Substitute Teacher, 2018 – 2019
Substitute teacher for grades K – 12
North Smithfield Public Schools, North Smithfield, RI
Substitute Teacher, 2016 – 2017
Substitute teacher for grades K – 12, and weekly meeting substitute at Halliwell School.
Building with Books, Stamford, CT
Youth Program Coordinator, 2006-2007
Supported BwB student efforts to initiate and sustain weekly community service work and reach sponsorship goals. Planned, organized, and facilitated weekend service projects. Delivered Global Education Curriculum in classrooms.
Emma Willard School, Troy, NY
Resident Faculty, 2005-2006
Responsible for 22 girls in the dormitories and 4 advisees. Served as a resource for students about all aspects of life within and beyond Emma Willard School. Communicated frequently with parents and generally acted as a parent away from home during all times when an adult was needed. Created and implemented residential policies and provided many forms of care and comfort.
ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Women’s Support Services, Sharon, CT
Family and Child Advocate, 2019 – Present
Provide direct services to clients, including crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and safety planning. Provide information, referral and educational resources to clients. Maintain statistical data on all clients and the services provided to them. Attend and participate in regular meetings called by WSS and other meetings as necessary, including training programs. Participate in rotating coverage of hotline as scheduled. Must uphold privileged communication of clients and all responsibilities of mandatory reporting
City of Providence, Providence, RI
Confidential Assistant to the Director of Economic Development, 2015-2016
Served as the Director’s deputy, attending meetings in his absence and providing information regarding current initiatives to partners and key stakeholders. Planned and implemented events for business leaders, investors and City staff. Maintained and managed the confidential calendar, screened all phone calls and drafted correspondence. Performed office management duties such as managing supplies and reviewing expenses. Resolved or facilitated the resolution of problems and difficult situations in a courteous and professional manner. Lean Black Belt certified. Community Development Block Grants Basics certified by NCDA. Completed customer service training.
United States Army Reserve, Danbury, CT
Civil Affairs Sergeant, 1997-2007
Served eight full years in the Active Reserves with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion. Responsible for fostering communication between the civilian population of host nations and the United States military and for restoring infrastructure to areas damaged by war or natural disaster. Deployed to Iraq from March of 2003 until March of 2004 and stationed in Baghdad. Received an Army Commendation Medal with Valor device for involvement in UN bombing rescue efforts, and an ARCOMM for outstanding service. Participated in joint training exercise in Hungary in 2002 and planned MWR trips to Budapest for American troops. Gained significant experience working with translators, high-ranking officers, foreign military personnel, diplomats and foreign nationals.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary, Poughquag, NY
Volunteer, 2018 – 2019
Feeding and grooming rescued farm animals, and cleaning stalls.
Bridges to Community, Ossining, NY
Volunteer, 1998 – 2006
Participated in four trips to Nicaragua to build houses.
Midnight Run with Christ Church on Quaker Hill, quarterly – Pawling & New York, NY
Lunchbox Soup Kitchen service with Christ Church on Quaker Hill, monthly – Poughkeepsie, NY
School Garden Committee – North Smithfield, RI
Pawling Free Library – Pawling, NY; Project Northstar – Washington, DC; Animal Protective Association – St. Louis, MO; Christ Church on Quaker Hill Youth Group – Pawling, NY; Christmas in April – Pawling, NY; Center for Student Missions – Washington, DC; School Garden Committee – North Smithfield, RI
