TOPEKA, KS, September 15, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to name Roger L. Dirks a Lifetime Achiever. An accomplished listee, Mr. Dirks celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
For 53 years, Mr. Dirks has furthered the universal language of mathematics as an educator in Topeka. He started as a high school math teacher in the '60s, and is currently an adjunct instructor and student teacher supervisor with Washburn University. Mr. Dirks was appointed in 1991 to the Juvenile Correction Advisory Board of the Kansas Third Judicial District and is currently Chair, serving in that capacity for over ten years. In 2012 he joined the Board of Directors of Mainstream, Inc. Non Profit Association. One year later he was elected as Vice President and since 2014 as President.
Mr. Dirks was born to Harry H. and Henrietta H. Dirks, and attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. In 1964, he taught mathematics at Topeka West High School. During 1965 and 1966 he tutored students in mathematics for the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, and joined the summer program at Capital City High School and Topeka State Hospital as a teacher of the emotionally disturbed. During this interval he became an adjunct instructor of mathematics with Washburn University.
In 1966, Mr. Dirks earned a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics Education from Kansas State University and from 1970 to 1976 he served as Assistant Principal of Topeka West High School and continued teaching math during this tenure. Mr. Dirks became Director of Continuing Education in 1976 with Topeka Public Schools, serving through 1988. In this capacity he was given the primary role in creating and implementing the first High School Alternative Education Program. He then was successful in creating and implementing the first Adult Learning Center for the District that emphasized literacy development, English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, and GED preparation and testing. This program is currently part of Washburn University Tech. In addition, he collaborated with an education colleague, Bob Becker, to have a bill introduced and passed in the Kansas Legislature to provide funding for Adult Learning Centers in the public schools. Another responsibility during this time was directing the elementary and secondary summer school programs.
In 1988 he became the Director of Staff Development and Grant Development for the School District. During this time he designed and implemented a Summer Staff Development Academy for all employees and was actively involved in acquiring several Grants. He was a member and representative to the Kansas City Learning Exchange. He served as the K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator for one year. In 1998 he became the Principal of Topeka Education Center. The last District responsibility was as Director of Student Support Services and Supervisor of the Second Chance School for expelled students. In total, he dedicated 37 years of service to Topeka Public Schools.
In 2001, Mr. Dirks returned to the classroom as a math teacher at Rossville High School in Kansas for six more years and was named one of the 2006 Outstanding American Teachers by the National Honor Roll. He joined Washburn University as a student teacher supervisor and adjunct in 2008. In 2011, Mr. Dirks, who has an interest in collecting books, established the First Ink and Rare Books Site.
Mr. Dirks had several recognitions during his career. He was nominated for the Topeka Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award, and the Special Merit Award By Topeka Public Schools. Later he was given the Appreciation Award by the Mayor's Task Force on Literacy, where he served as a founding member. In 2001 he was presented the Partner of the Year Award by Prevention and Recovery Services (PARS) of Topeka. He was also a member of the United Way "Making the Grade" task force and selected for the Citizens Committee to study the City Government of Topeka. He co-authored training manuals for other teachers in the early '80s, including "Training Manual for Experienced ABE/GED Instructors" in 1981. In addition, he was selected as a conference presenter for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Kansas Adult Education Association, and Missouri Valley Adult Education Association.
Through the course of a distinguished teaching career, Mr. Dirks accrued memberships with the National Education Association, the Kansas Adult Education Association (President in 1983-4), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Kaw Valley Education Association, and the Missouri Valley Adult Education Association, which presented him with a 1989 Achievement Award for his services as treasurer and representative of the Kansas chapter. For his services to education at every stage of student development, Mr. Dirks was selected for inclusion in numerous volumes of Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. He enjoys traveling, reading, music, art, theater, Broadway musicals and collecting books. Mr. Dirks has two daughters, Renee May and Marla Dirks and is married to Cynthia E. Capellari.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Mr. Dirks has been featured on the Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievers website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America , Marquis Who's Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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