Derk Unterschultz

Hi there!  My name is Derk Unterschultz and I am thrilled to be teaching your child for the 2023-2024 school year.  

I have been married for 23 years to my beautiful wife, Karen. We have 4 amazing boys: Ethan, Markus, Grayson, and Dayne.  As you can imagine, our house is rarely quiet.  We also have a dog named Cassidy.

I have four passions in life: spending time with my family, waterskiing, watching and participating in sports, and using technology.  I have coached many sports including football, basketball, hockey and soccer, with a recent stint as a volleyball coach.

This is my second year at Pen X.  Last year I taught grade 7 and 8 - Math and Science as well as a technology option.  Before coming to PenX, I taught at Delburne Centralized School.  I love working in Chinook’s Edge School Division; this is my eighth year here.  The students here are fantastic!  I taught Grade 3 last year and middle school for the five years prior to that. Before coming to CESD, I had taught elementary school in Red Deer for 3 and a half years. It’s such a thrill to watch them grow up. 

Before returning to school in 2009 to get my Education degree, I have worked in the restaurant and automotive retail industries.  I graduated with a First Class standing from Red Deer College / University of Alberta’s Middle School years collaborative degree.

I am looking forward to working with your child this year.  I plan to use my strengths in science, math and technology to help them grow over the course of grade 7 and 8.  I plan to work individually with each student, and help them grow in their academics, their passions and become upstanding, innovative 21st Century citizens.  I expect hard work, good behavior, and a caring, positive spirit from my students —  with these things comes much accomplishment and a joy of learning.