For over eight years, Dirk has kept each student both at the heart and as part of the framework of his entire approach to teaching. He adeptly applied numerous criteria and demands in maximizing positive outcomes while considering the needs of individual students and the entire class. He has continuously examined and improved his teaching methods, content, and curricula to transform the learning and maximize the educational opportunities for his diverse students. He has skillfully employed data in planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating his pedagogy. He expertly led a number of groups throughout the school organization, including the fifth-grade department (twice), elementary-grades learning community, taking active parts in other communities every year. He willingly met the heavy and often-not-conveniently-timed workload, often coming in early, staying late, and dedicating his weekends to the work. Seeking to meet the ever-changing needs of his students, he has served twice as a Lego-robotics adult adviser and once as a chess club faculty adviser. He is proud to have inspired and mentored over 100 students in earning the Great American Award over the course of his career.

Trained hundreds of education professionals in positively transformative classroom and school management techniques in school, school district, and education conference settings. Researched effective approaches, developed research-based presentations, and presented the interesting and interactive training.

Developed and maintained numerous project opportunities and relationships with Secretary of State and other government offices throughout the country. Tracked RFPs, composed written proposals, and initiated and developed potential business relationships with government officials.

For one budget-cycle year, Dirk served as the Budget Director over the largest departmental budget in Alaska. The DHSS budget includes a broad spectrum of health programs, including those associated with complicated federal programs, such as Medicaid. He assisted all DHSS divisions in developing, publishing, and justifying their budgets. This required the nurturing and maintenance of numerous and varied relationships, including those in the Governor's office, division directors, legislative staff, the Department's Director, and, of course, in his own office. In addition to the demanding challenge of managing all aspects of the DHSS budget, Dirk assisted the Assistant Commissioner of Financial Services and the Commissioner of the department in an extensive project to review and adjust the departmental and divisional Missions, Core Services, and Measures. This was a critical project that has helped the department and all its programs to focus resources on providing the right services to the right beneficiaries at the right time and at the right price. This was an exciting opportunity allowing the entire department to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency.

Guided divisions through the demanding annual budget process. Analyzed, scrutinized, published, and then defended to the Alaska Legislature the carefully crafted division budgets. Oversaw the implementation of many programs, including both programmatic and budgetary tracking. Maintained numerous working relationships in potentially sensitive oversight settings.

As the Municipal Council's budget policy adviser, Dirk helped the legislative body realize the full extent of its appropriation and oversight responsibilities and powers by instituting legislative intent statements, studying state and local statutes in order to fully understand the Council's legislative powers, and analyzing executive budgets and programs. Budget analysis recommendations resulted in over $500,000 in Council-adopted reductions over the Mayor's budget. He maintained a number of important working relationships with high-level department directors and members of the Mayor's staff. Dirk tracked and provided feedback to Council members regarding ongoing program, policy, and budget developments for many Provo City programs.

Dirk served as the Governor's primary budget and policy analyst on the state's Higher Education programs, an over $2 billion budget. He worked closely with numerous university, college, and technical school directors and high-level staff, as well as with many legislative staff members, to guide the Governor's higher education budget proposals through the entire budget cycle and through the legislative session for two years. He helped develop $2.5 million legislation to significantly expand the state's rural distance higher education system, helping to bring higher education opportunities to thousands of students who otherwise would not have the life-changing experience of advanced education.

Governor's primary budget and policy analyst over various assignments of increasing responsibility. Budget areas included Boards and Commissions, Fair Political Practices Commission, Commission on State Mandates, Secretary of State, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Legislative testimony and extensive budget and program analysis.

Executive Consultant in several IT systems development and integration projects for major State of California Departments, including: the California Department of Transportation (CDOT), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and the California Department of Mental Health. Analyzed existing systems and business processes, engineered improved processes, and developed improved IT processes, systems, and requirements, all while employing professional project management methodologies.

Governor's primary budget and policy analyst over the Aging Services assignment. Budget areas included the Department of Aging and the In-Home Supportive Services assignment (in-home care) and SSI/SSP, including major federal funding. Legislative testimony and extensive budget and program analysis.