Mrs. Dirksing has been a Spanish Teacher for twenty-three years and has been with Boone County Schools for thirteen of those twenty-three years. Mrs. Dirksing has experience teaching all grade levels of Spanish at all learning levels. Furthermore, she has taught AP Spanish Language and Composition, Spanish 101 and 102 Dual Credit Spanish, and Spanish 201 and 202 Dual Credit Spanish. Mrs. Dirksing has her BA in Spanish, her MA in Spanish, and her MA in Teaching. She is currently working on her Education Specialist in Educational Leadership degree. This is her second year at Ignite in the Computer Science College.
In addition to teaching Spanish, Mrs. Dirksing is an active member of the Boone County community through her involvement in Boone County sports and the Licking Valley Girl Scouts. She is passionate about educating the whole person and sharing the culture of the Hispanic communities in which she has lived.
When she is not at school, Mrs. Dirksing spends her time with her husband and two children. Together, they enjoy hiking and visiting the National Parks. One of their goals is to visit every National Park together. Mrs. Dirksing enjoys reading, sewing, and baking.

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.”

Jim Mardis, son of George, keeper of monitors, maker of butter beer, watcher of seniors, and wizard of the mystical CS arts.

Mr. Mardis retired after 25 years from Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (the facility that is now now Ignite).