About Me

Dr. Ryan Zonnefeld

Dr. Ryan Zonnefeld
Professor of Education

Phone: (712) 722-6225
Email: ryanz@dordt.edu

I had the privilege of joining the Dordt University education department faculty in 2009. In my years at Dordt, I have taught a number of undergraduate courses including Introduction to Education, Methods of Teaching Mathematics, Applied Educational Psychology, and Kingdom Identity Calling. I have also taught graduate courses in Foundations of Educational Leadership and Collaborative Leadership.

I currently serve as the Director of the Teacher Preparation Program and the Division Chair of Education & Human Sciences. My areas of interest include educational leadership, school board effectiveness, and elementary/middle school education. I live in Sioux Center with my wife, Valorie, a mathematics professor at Dordt University, and our three children.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership, Iowa State University, 2009.
  • M.A. in Educational Administration (Elementary), University of South Dakota, 2001.
  • B.A. in Elementary Education and K-12 Choral/Instrumental Music Education, Dordt  University, 1997.

Experience

  • Three years higher education teaching experience at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.
  • Nine years of teaching and administrative experience in elementary and middle school settings.