Dr. Mary Beth Pollema

Dr. Mary-Beth Pollema serves as associate professor of education at Dordt University.

Her research interests focus on building stronger, culturally inclusive school-family connections, particularly for Latino communities, as well as a sense of belonging within classroom environments. Pollema’s scholarly work includes her dissertation, An Ethnographic Interpretation of Latino Perspectives on Family Engagement in Education, and several contributions to In All Things, most recently the article, “Is There Such a Thing as a Selfless Deed?”

“I strive to make my Christian faith integral to my scholarship and teaching and regularly present on topics pertaining to teaching from a Biblical foundation, community building, and inclusive learning environments,” adds Pollema.

Prior to coming to Dordt, she served in a variety of teaching roles: from elementary in southwest Minnesota and Belize, Central America to high school Spanish in Prinsburg, Minnesota. Additionally, she and her husband have also served as short-term mission coordinators with (IDEA) Ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan and as church planters with the CRC in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Outside of teaching, Pollema serves on the Faculty Status Committee, as a faculty mentor, a cohort leader for the Multicultural Leadership Program (MLP), and faculty sponsor for the Education Club. She also leads AMOR trips biennially to Belize, Central America.

Off campus, Pollema remains active in the Sioux Center community by serving as a volunteer interpreter for school events at Kinsey Elementary and as a Board of Trustee member at Sioux Center Christian School.

“I find my identity as a person and as a professional in being an image-bearer of God and strive to manifest His love and grace in my life in all that I do and say within the classroom and community so that others will see Christ through me and be drawn into a closer relationship with Him,” adds Pollema.

Education:

M.Ed, Dordt University, 2014

Ed.D, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2021