Phillip “Phil” Dietrich is a third-grade teacher for Portage Township Corporation, saved and set free with a wife and three kids and a passion for music.
“I grew up in Hammond and have been a resident of Chesterton for the past 16 years. I am a child of God, a husband to Jenny, and a father of three awesome kids,” Dietrich said.
“Most people who know me probably know one of my passions is music,” Dietrich continued. “I’ve been drumming most of my life. I learned to play in school, played with some garage bands in high school, and gigged around with various bands since about ‘03. I’ve also sought to give my talent back to God by playing on worship teams at churches I’ve attended since college.”
Dietrich was not planning on becoming a teacher but found a love for it and enjoys every moment of it.
“I had a pretty unconventional path to my career in teaching but have come to realize it had to happen exactly as it did,” Dietrich said. “I earned my bachelor’s degree in Advertising from Ball State University. I thought I’d ‘made it’ when I landed a job on Michigan Ave. I realized fairly quickly it wasn’t my calling. An unexpected turn of events led to becoming the full-time youth minister for churches in Chesterton and Valpo over the next eight years. During my time in youth ministry, I came to understand I was still being called to work with young people, but as a teacher I completed a transition to teaching program and am in my 11th year of teaching. This profession is both energizing and draining and I love it I am in the process of taking the next step on my educational journey, and just finished my Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Ball State. My goal is to become a principal, Lord willing.”
With this new-found love for education, Dietrich is motivated and stirred to do his best day in and day out.
“My motivation for getting up each morning is to make a positive difference in someone’s life, and coffee, which is motivation in a mug,” Dietrich said. “I am a believer that nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Despite my limited understanding of His plan for my life, I know there’s a reason He’s led me to becoming a youth minister and then teacher. My goal is to try to answer that calling every day and not miss the opportunity.”
Dietrich knows he has made an impact in his field through the relationships he’s built with his students.
“For me, the most impactful thing that has happened to me during my career has been having the chance to build relationships with and among students. On any given day, often without warning, a former student will pop into my mind for no apparent reason, but it will send me back to some meaningful encounter that student and I had,” Dietrich said.
“The reason is probably best summed up in a quote attributed to Carl W. Buehner: ‘They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.’ For nine - 10 months a year, we spend more of our waking hours with our school families than our actual ones. By establishing positive relationships with students and teaching them how to do the same with their peers, my hope is they will remember feeling that school was a safe place where their teacher cared more about who they were than their test scores,” Dietrich said.
Dietrich plans to retire in this field.
“I will without question retire in this field,” Dietrich said.
He also said he has found a second home within his classroom.
“My career took a bit of a crooked path on the way to becoming a teacher, but as soon as I got into the classroom I was home. It’s a tremendous responsibility that I take seriously without taking myself too seriously. Any job has its stresses and teaching is no different, but I can say I genuinely look forward to coming to work in the morning,” Dietrich said.
Dietrich says that even though he doesn't always see the fruit of his labor it is worth it.
“One of the great joys I have is when former students write me letters or emails, come back years later and visit, or when parents of former students take the time to share their appreciation,” Dietrich said. “I have the privilege of playing a role in helping students on the path to the life they choose, and see their journey towards confidence where they were once insecure. There are many other reasons as well!”
Dietrich is willing to adapt to every situation and pour more time into his students.
“One of the areas in which I can approve is better budgeting the amount of time I spend with each student while helping them during their independent practice,” Dietrich said.
“When a student asks for help, needs clarification, asks for advice, etc., I tend to spend too much time with that student trying to make sure they fully understand. It’s hard for me to cut it short with a student who’s still got questions. This attention may be great for that student, but it can reduce the number of students I’m able to help. But, as I encourage my students to do, I am working on it!”