Mr. Dirksing has been and English Teacher for eighteen years and has been with Boone County Schools for fourteen of those eighteen years. Mr. Dirksing has experience teaching all grade levels at all learning levels. In addition, he taught Advance Placement Literature and Composition for nine years. Mr. Dirksing has his BA in English and his MA in Teaching. This is his third year at Ignite and his second year in the Design College.
In addition to teaching High School English, Mr. Dirksing has taught Information Technology, Journalism, and Yearbook Production classes. He is passionate about reading and writing and wants to share his passion with his students. As a former manager in the service industry, Mr. Dirksing understands and focuses on teaching the reading and writing skills necessary to succeed in an ever changing global market.
When he is not at school, Mr. Dirksing spends his time with his wife and two kids. Together, they work towards their goal of visiting every National Park in America. Mr. Dirksing enjoys photography, reading, writing, live music, and collecting and listening to vinyl records.

Mr. Norris Has been teaching at the Ignite Institute since its inception. He focuses on Critical Thinking Skills and positive Professional Habits. Prior to becoming a teacher, he spent fifteen years in the finance and manufacturing industries. This experience influenced him to become a high school teacher to help future employees gain confidence at an earlier age so that they feel better prepared to make informed decisions once they find their careers. Mr. Norris has been coaching soccer in Northern Kentucky for over three decades. He has coached several scholar’s parents and has even coached another Ignite teacher. In his free time, he continues to coach soccer, play soccer, run half marathons, engage in fundraisers for civic improvements, and raise his family. “As a teacher and mentor, I find it is my responsibility to help scholars develop their communication skills, their confidence in themselves, and show them how to be composed in situations so that they can flourish into complete global citizens who will impact the world in positive means.”

Mr. Stephenson comes from a previous career in the Army as a Linguist, where he obtained his associates in Arabic language at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, CA. He then obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Northern Kentucky University and is currently working on his Master of Arts in Teaching at Morehead State. Before class, he will almost always take the time to make a pour-over, a leftover hobby from his time as a barista. He is married and shares a space with his dog and cat, who are subletting their space. In his free time, Mr. Stephenson plays disc golf, travels whenever possible, and theorizes about the decline of civilizations and its impact on current-day nations.

Mrs. Dietz has been in education for over 20 years. Prior to working at Ignite, Mrs. Dietz worked at Holmes High School and at Grant County High School. Mrs. Dietz holds a B.A. in Biology, a M.A. in Teaching, and a Masters in Instructional Leadership. Mrs. Dietz is certified to teach all four of the PLTW’s Biomedical Science Courses: Principles of Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovations. When she is not at school, she is spending time with her husband and three children. You are likely find her attending her children’s basketball and volleyball practices and games.