Bio

Mrs. Yurk currently serves in our seventh grade homeroom and is the middle school English and Writing teacher as well as the seventh grade literature teacher.

Mrs. Yurk was born in southwest Minnesota and raised in northwest Iowa.  She attended local public schools and graduated from Sergeant Bluff - Luton High School.  She was led to pursue Christian education at Concordia University -- Wisconsin through the Christ-like influence of three teachers:  her mother, who showed limitless patience; her band director, Mr. Black, who truly valued each one of his students; and a college professor, Reverend Rasmussen, who fully understood that teachers do not simply teach material, they teach, and reach, kids.  While at Concordia, Mrs. Yurk majored in Secondary Education - English with a minor in music.

Mrs. Yurk has had a number of teaching experiences prior to coming to St. Paul, all of which have shaped her passion for teaching.   

• Faith Lutheran Junior-Senior High School in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Trinity-Freistadt Lutheran School
• St. Philip Lutheran School in Chicago, Illinois
• College of DuPage (Chicagoland Area)
• Grace Lutheran School in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Mrs. Yurk has continued her personal education career throughout her teaching positions.  Besides her undergraduate degrees she has also earned the following degrees and certificates: 

• Master's Degree in Language and Literacy from National-Louis University
• English as a Second Language Certificate from North Park University

Mrs. Yurk has received the following professional awards and acknowledgement:

• 2017 South Wisconsin District Elementary Educator of the Year
• 2017 Kohl Foundation Fellowship Finalist
• 2018 Concordia University Wisconsin Master Elementary Educator of the Year

Mrs. Yurk consistently challenges herself to grow professionally.  She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English as well as of the Lutheran Educators Association.  She also continues to attend conferences specifically directed for the Language Arts, participates in professional book clubs, and voraciously reads and collects current adolescent and young adult literature.

Mrs. Yurk's interests include spending time with her family, singing, walking, and reading.

2 Corinthians 5:15 - Christ died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.