Position at Unity: I teach Learning Strategies which is a class in which students receive credit for getting help with their academic classes. It is a program designed for students to come during a study hall and receive instruction in learning strategies as well as learning how to read textbooks, how to review for tests, and instruction in the importance of study skills and study habits. We keep assignments current and I work with teachers if modifications are needed to help the student be successful within the classroom setting. Teachers maintain high standards for students with reading, memory, perceptual, etc. difficulties as they expect student to learn the basics well. Learning Strategies class helps them learn their unique learning abilities on a daily basis.
Professional and Educational Background: I went to Cerritos College in Norwalk, California for three years while I was deciding on a major. After teaching an outreach Sunday School program at my church, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I then transferred to Dordt College in 1968 and graduated in 1970. I taught at Lansing Christian in Lansing, Illinois for four years in fourth grade and third grade. In 1982, we moved to Phoenix where I taught fifth grade in Redeemer Christian School in Mesa. Then in 1985 I taught a 3rd/5th split class in Orange City Christian, then 3rd grade, and then Resource Room for seven years. In 1993, I began teaching here at Unity. I received a Masters in Reading from Sioux Falls University in 1994 and a Multi-Categorical Learning Disability Endorsement from Morningside College in 1995.
Childhood and Family Background: I was born in Sioux Center and then moved an average of every 2-3 years since then until I moved to a house we lived in for 18 years (a record!!). We now live outside of Orange City on our Christmas Tree Farm. Our favorite time of year is watching families share in the joy of choosing a tree together. I've attended most grade schools in the area--Sioux Center Christian (twice), Ireton Christian, Orange City Christian (twice) and graduated from Western Christian. My family moved to Artesia, California then and I lived there three years while attending Cerritos. I met my husband after two years of teaching in Lansing and we married in August of 1972. He was also from Orange City originally so we moved back in 1974. Our first son, Jamey, was born in 1975 and Angela in 1976, and Jeffrey in 1978. I now have two married children, seven grandsons, and two granddaughters. Jeffrey is working for Air Force Expeditions Forces overseas.
Church Life: We attend Immanual Christian Reformed Church in Orange City.
Life Outside of Unity: Right now I have slowed down a bit. My children are out of the house so I enjoy being with my grandchildren. At theChristmas tree farm, we enjoy families as they celebrate the joy of Christ coming to earth. I also enjoy going to Chicago to visit my daughter. I read books every chance I get, take long walks, and do crosswords and Sudokus. The Lord has blessed my life and my prayer is that He will use me to be a blessing to others.
Why I Teach at Unity: I've spent my life learning that it is not in my own strength that I live my life and deal with the circumstances of life. It's not about how strong I am at all but it's all about how strong God is. He has been so faithful and I am so grateful. I want to spend my life sharing with young people the wonder of it all and that He made the world in all its wonder. As we learn how He made us individually and how He made the complex world so majestically, I want to help students explore that wonder also. Students think so quickly that a concept or passing a test is "impossible" but God has given us a way to learn, maybe not in the same way as others but in different ways, and that is why I enjoy teaching at Unity so I can guide them to discover that education is for the purpose of bringing glory to God, through the calling He has placed on their life.