Position at Unity: Teacher of Freshman Bible, Senior Christian Marriage and Family, Media Specialist and Academic Counselor, sponsor for Unity Knights for Life.

Professional and Educational Background: Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Dordt College, additional graduate work at Drake University and Reformed Theological Seminary. Previous teaching experience at the Volga Christian School (Volga, SD), Rock Valley Christian (IA), DeMotte Christian (IN), and Sully Christian (IA).

Childhood and Family Background: Born and raised on Long Island, New York, my first taste of midwest living and Christian education did not come until I enrolled as a freshman at Dordt College. I graduated with a degree in secondary education in the social sciences, history, and economics. While teaching at Rock Valley Christian, I married my best friend, Joe Dirksen, and we became a team joyfully commited to the work of Christian education. We taught Junior High together at the DeMotte Christian School for 6 years. During our years in Indiana, we were blessed with 3 children, and Joe completed his Master's Degree in Administration at Purdue University. We served in Sully, Iowa for 5 years until the Lord led us back to NW Iowa. Joe is now the principal of the Sioux Center Christian School, and I am blessed to be a part of the UCHS staff.

Church Life:  Our family attends Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center where we are involved in Sunday School, Bible studies and the Lao Unity SS and VBS.

Life Outside of Unity: When I am not at Unity, I am busy with family and church activities. As a family, we love traveling, sports, hiking, bicycling and reading.

Why Unity Christian High School: Unity Christian High School is a very special place where students and staff work together in service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Together we strive to grow daily in grace and in knowledge. I am truly thankful to belong to a community that is rooted in Christ, strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thankfulness. A perfect place? Not even close. But we are pressing on, sharing one another's joys and burdens, encouraging one another, and continually lifting one another up in prayer.