Ardene Huisman

Years at OCCS: 31

Endorsement Background: BA in Elementary education (grades K-8) with a reading endorsement from Dordt College

Professional Development:  I taught first grade at OCCS from 1982-1985.  From 1986-1987 I taught the enrichment program at OCCS and then after staying home with my children for several years I returned to OCCS and began working in the middle school resource room and classroom.  During my years in the middle school, I taught literature and Bible classes.  During 2005-2007 I taught full-time in the 5th grade classroom and since then I have again been enjoying teaching first grade.

Family: I have a wonderful husband, Darren, who works at EZLiner Industries, a division of Diamond Vogel Paints.  Our oldest son Aaron is married to Ashley and they with their daughter Marlow live in Redondo Beach, CA where they run their production company Anaheim Studios.  Brandon, our second son, is married to Erica. Brandon works for Dordt University and Erica is a wonderful stay at home mom  to Adalee, Ella, Levi and Benjamin.  Jordan, our third son, is married to Meagan and they are parents to Grace, Jack, and June. They make their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he works at First Premier Bank and she for Raven Industries. Kaly is our youngest and she and her husband Jon Hale with their children Finnley and Boaz live in Sioux Center.  Jon co-manages the Sioux Center Pizza Ranch and Kaly has an in home daycare. Our family enjoys being together and having fun with the growing families.

Faith Statement:

Philippians 3:2-7 tells us that we are to have the servant mind of Christ.  As a teacher I believe that this is extremely important.  I must keep myself well grounded in God's word and well educated in all the areas of education that pertain to my teaching.  Having done this, I can better serve  my students, their parents, and other staff members.  I believe that God has called me to teach and has blessed me over the many years I have taught.  In education, I must make the needs of my students my first priority.  It is my desire as a classroom teacher, to figure out each student's areas of strengths and weaknesses and then find methods to help them develop to their greatest potential and use their gifts to serve God and others.  

Church Membership: Living Water CRC