
Years at OCCS: 2008-Present
Educational Background: Elementary Education BA from Dordt College in 2003 with a middle school endorsement and minor in music education; TAG Endorsement completed in 2019 from Buena Vista University
Professional Experience: I taught at Hull Christian School in Hull, Iowa for 5 years. While there I taught 5-8 general music and band. I also was the 6th grade homeroom teacher and taught a variety of subjects in the middle school. During my years at OCCS I have taught language arts classes to 6th and 7th grade students and Bible to 5th and 6th graders. In 2017 I began a whole new adventure as the coordinator of STEPS, OCCS's program for students who need an academic challenge! This position has challenged me in new and exciting ways, and I hope that each day I am a blessing to the students God places in my classroom.
Family: I am married to Brent Philipsen. We have been married for 20 years. God has blessed us with three children (ages 14, 11, and 8).
Faith Statement: God has given me a wonderful calling to teach his covenant children and to help them become wise. This calling is fulfilled in partnership with the home and the church. We work together to "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it."