She has worked for the district since 1986. During that time, she has served as a speech and language pathologist and a special project consultant for school improvement. She has chaired several committees over the years, including the Committee on Preschool Special Education, Committee on Special Education, Section 504 Multidisciplinary Team, Annual Professional Performance Review Committee, and Elementary Social Studies Curriculum Development Committee. She has also held many leadership roles in staff development.

Van Genderen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Plattsburgh. She later received a Master of Science in Education degree and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from the College of St. Rose. She also received national board teacher certification (early childhood through young adulthood exceptional needs) and permanent school district administrator (SDA), school administrator and supervisor (SAS), and teacher of the speech and hearing handicapped certification from the NYS Education Department.

Her current professional memberships include the NY Council of Administrators of Special Education, the Council of Exceptional Children, and the National Association of Elementary/Secondary School Principals.

She and her husband have two sons.