About Me:
Hello, my name is Kristen Dyksterhouse and I am so excited to be teaching your student math this year. I began teaching middle and high school math in 2012, and have loved every minute of my job since then!
For my undergraduate degree, I attended Grand Valley State University. I graduated with a mathematics major and English minor, certifying me in both secondary (6th-12th) English and math. After I completed my undergraduate degree I moved to SW Michigan and taught secondary mathematics (2 years of high school and 3 years of 8th grade) for 5 years at Berrien Springs Public Schools, a globally diverse school district located in Southwest Michigan that represents over 44 different countries. During this time frame I completed my master's degree at Michigan State University (GO GREEN!!) in Educational Technology, certifying me in 6th-12th grade technology instruction; but, more importantly, I credit this program with revamping my thinking, learning, and teaching. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in SW MI, my desire was to be back home in West Michigan near family and friends. In 2017 I had the pleasure of joining the Grandville Middle School staff. Since I have been at the middle school, I have greatly enjoyed working with the staff, students, parents, and community members. I am looking forward to another great year!
My style of teaching is very hands-on and inquiry based. I believe that students learn best when they can take ownership of what they are learning. My job as a classroom educator is to facilitate the learning for the students. This is done by giving a group of students a task to explore, providing them with any tools they need, and monitoring a student lead conversation about what they discovered. At the end of this process the students should have a deeper, more conceptual understanding of what is being taught. Along with this I also try to incorporate real-world examples though the use of technology and real-world tasks.
I am very excited to have the opportunity to build relationships with you and your student throughout the next school year. My number one goal at Grandville Middle School is to provide a very positive learning experience for your student. If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me at (616) 254-6481.
If you are interested in learning more about my education, professional background, instructional beliefs, or graduate studies/research, check out my digital portfolio.
While it might not always seem like it, because lets face it, education is a round the clock career, there is more to me than my professional and educational background. I enjoy listening to music, reading, engaging in outdoor activities, and spending quality time with friends and family. I have the most amazing daughter who teaches me new things everyday. I have shared a few of my favorite things below. These factors play a large role in who I am as a teacher. Enjoy.
Hello, my name is Kristen Dyksterhouse and I am so excited to be teaching your student math this year. I began teaching middle and high school math in 2012, and have loved every minute of my job since then!
For my undergraduate degree, I attended Grand Valley State University. I graduated with a mathematics major and English minor, certifying me in both secondary (6th-12th) English and math. After I completed my undergraduate degree I moved to SW Michigan and taught secondary mathematics (2 years of high school and 3 years of 8th grade) for 5 years at Berrien Springs Public Schools, a globally diverse school district located in Southwest Michigan that represents over 44 different countries. During this time frame I completed my master's degree at Michigan State University (GO GREEN!!) in Educational Technology, certifying me in 6th-12th grade technology instruction; but, more importantly, I credit this program with revamping my thinking, learning, and teaching. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in SW MI, my desire was to be back home in West Michigan near family and friends. In 2017 I had the pleasure of joining the Grandville Middle School staff. Since I have been at the middle school, I have greatly enjoyed working with the staff, students, parents, and community members. I am looking forward to another great year!
My style of teaching is very hands-on and inquiry based. I believe that students learn best when they can take ownership of what they are learning. My job as a classroom educator is to facilitate the learning for the students. This is done by giving a group of students a task to explore, providing them with any tools they need, and monitoring a student lead conversation about what they discovered. At the end of this process the students should have a deeper, more conceptual understanding of what is being taught. Along with this I also try to incorporate real-world examples though the use of technology and real-world tasks.
I am very excited to have the opportunity to build relationships with you and your student throughout the next school year. My number one goal at Grandville Middle School is to provide a very positive learning experience for your student. If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me at (616) 254-6481.
If you are interested in learning more about my education, professional background, instructional beliefs, or graduate studies/research, check out my digital portfolio.
While it might not always seem like it, because lets face it, education is a round the clock career, there is more to me than my professional and educational background. I enjoy listening to music, reading, engaging in outdoor activities, and spending quality time with friends and family. I have the most amazing daughter who teaches me new things everyday. I have shared a few of my favorite things below. These factors play a large role in who I am as a teacher. Enjoy.
GAMES
I am a gamer- a board-gamer, that is. I enjoy playing along with T.V. game shows, Family Feud is my favorite. I also enjoy trying to play video games; although, I am not too talented in that area. Really, I just love to play games, especially in math class. In my opinion, learning mathematics is a lot like playing a game. In fact, learning in general is a lot like learning to play a game. Consequently, I am always thinking about how I can incorporate games in my classroom and I encourage my learners to do so as well. A New York Times Magazine article titled “Games Theory” explores gaming in the classroom and is worth reading!
FAVORITE BOOKS
I love the classics and Y.A. dystopian literature. My favorites: The Catcher in the Rye, The Bell Jar, Huckleberry Finn, Feed, and The Hunger Games. However, in lieu of children’s books I love Dr. Seuss.
FAVORITE MUSIC
I love classic rock: The Steve Miller Band; The Cars; GNR; Rolling Stones; Styx; The Cure; Bob Seger; Fleetwood Mac; REO Speedwagon; Boston; etc. I also enjoy contemporary Christian (Third Day; Toby Mac; etc), 90’s music (Third Eye Blind; Bush; Goo Goo Dolls; etc), and oldies (Elvis; Badfinger; etc). I love all music and have quite an even mix across all genres on my ipod. Music is therapy. It is mood altering and uplifting for me.
T.V. & MOVIES
My favorite TV Channels are Disney, History, and Discovery. These channels can entertain my daughter and me. I am intrigued by space and the ocean, two topics History and Discovery frequently explore. I don’t get hooked on shows anymore because I usually end up watching Disney Channel with my daughter if the TV is on. As far as movies go, we both enjoy The Little Rascals.
I am a gamer- a board-gamer, that is. I enjoy playing along with T.V. game shows, Family Feud is my favorite. I also enjoy trying to play video games; although, I am not too talented in that area. Really, I just love to play games, especially in math class. In my opinion, learning mathematics is a lot like playing a game. In fact, learning in general is a lot like learning to play a game. Consequently, I am always thinking about how I can incorporate games in my classroom and I encourage my learners to do so as well. A New York Times Magazine article titled “Games Theory” explores gaming in the classroom and is worth reading!
FAVORITE BOOKS
I love the classics and Y.A. dystopian literature. My favorites: The Catcher in the Rye, The Bell Jar, Huckleberry Finn, Feed, and The Hunger Games. However, in lieu of children’s books I love Dr. Seuss.
- I love The Bell Jar because despite Sylvia Plath’s depressing and downright haunting writing style, she always manages to say it best: “There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them” (The Bell Jar). It is highly relatable to anyone who has been uncertain about life and where it is taking you or has felt subdued by the expectations of society; well I guess being female would help make it relatable, too. She uses beautiful imagery and her metaphors will give you the chills, I promise. I haven't battled a lot of the issues prevalent in the text, but I can relate in one way or another to Esther’s failures and triumphs in the story. The Bell Jar is truly a story of survival, a fight against conformity and submission to society’s expected role. As the tale progresses, the personal journey becomes explicit: through her [Esther] struggles she gains purpose and meaning and defines a new, powerful sense of self. It is truly a great read.
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Catcher in the Rye are humorous, deep coming of age stories. It is surprising how much I can relate to adolescent boyhood. Both novels evoke emotion; they tug at your heartstrings and make you laugh. The innocent, pure take on society and its implications is refreshing, yet brutally honest at times. Holden Caulfield reminds me of Peter Pan. His story reminds me to cherish childhood memories and accept adulthood. Huck Finn reminds me to remove preconceived judgments, to establish my own beliefs instead of following social norms. Although humorous, the stories have powerful lessons imbedded within almost every scene and chapter. It is always nice to enjoy a novel and take away a life lesson.
- Feed and The Hunger Games bring you into the future and really make you consider life as we know it. I really love all dystopian literature.
- Original Dr. Seuss books typically have a lesson within them. I love reading the rhymes and I love sharing them with my daughter. She now shares my enthusiasm for Dr. Seuss and we often visit my sister’s 4th Grade classroom to read her favorite stories aloud.
FAVORITE MUSIC
I love classic rock: The Steve Miller Band; The Cars; GNR; Rolling Stones; Styx; The Cure; Bob Seger; Fleetwood Mac; REO Speedwagon; Boston; etc. I also enjoy contemporary Christian (Third Day; Toby Mac; etc), 90’s music (Third Eye Blind; Bush; Goo Goo Dolls; etc), and oldies (Elvis; Badfinger; etc). I love all music and have quite an even mix across all genres on my ipod. Music is therapy. It is mood altering and uplifting for me.
T.V. & MOVIES
My favorite TV Channels are Disney, History, and Discovery. These channels can entertain my daughter and me. I am intrigued by space and the ocean, two topics History and Discovery frequently explore. I don’t get hooked on shows anymore because I usually end up watching Disney Channel with my daughter if the TV is on. As far as movies go, we both enjoy The Little Rascals.