Vandora Henderson

Vandora Henderson graduated from South Carolina State University with a degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education. She received her graduate degree in Child Development from Iowa State University.

About 23 years ago, while volunteering in a ministry to low-income children in Asheville, NC, she and Becky Lloyd became friends. When Becky taught an American Sign Language class at her church in 2001, Vandora signed up. From there she took night classes at a local community college and received her associates degree in Interpreter Training in 2005.

Vandora has made attending local Deaf church events a priority. She also attends nationwide and state Deaf events and helped with interpreting responsibilities at Asheville Deaf Church prior to them having a full time Deaf pastor. She traveled with Signs for Hope to Liberia in 2010, 2011, and 2012. She has also traveled with Signs for Hope to Vietnam, the Philippians, and Honduras.

God used Vandora’s gifts and talents in the elementary classroom for 31+ years. She incorporated her knowledge of ASL with her teaching as she helped train the next generation to embrace the Deaf, their language, and their culture. Inviting Deaf storytellers to her school’s annual storytelling event was and still is a highlight despite the fact that she has recently retired from teaching.

Vandora is humbled to join God in whatever He is doing.