Samantha K. Dykes

Samantha K. Dykes

Samantha K. Dykes is an instructional coach at Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa, where she has been a driving force in inspiring innovation through professional development. Her educational journey began in 2011 and has since taught grades K-5 English learners, grades 6-9 English learners, and grades 3-4 general education. She also served as an online learning coach during the 2020–2021 school year.

Samantha’s passion for education extends to higher learning institutions as well, having taught both undergraduate and graduate courses on literacy and English learning at Coe College and the University of Dubuque in Iowa. Her expertise has also been shared at local and national conferences where she presents innovative strategies for effective classroom practices. Her educational philosophy aligns with the axiom that the whole purpose of school is not to be good at school but to be good at life. This drives her commitment to engage students and equip them with essential skills for beyond the classroom. The student-engaged classroom model that she champions serves as the foundation for her teaching beliefs. Additionally, she contributed to Connections, an online resource for English learners by Perfection Learning.

Samantha’s educational path began at Iowa State University, where she majored in elementary education and received her K–12 English as a second language endorsement. She has also earned master’s degrees in English language learning and educational technology from Western Governors University and a master’s degree in administration with a principal endorsement from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.