By Terra Avilla
Picture this: it’s a scorching summer day, and I’m sitting in a training for the week, mentally preparing myself for a training session that could either be enlightening or an absolute snooze-fest. Enter Melinda Deurksen, my fearless friend for the day.
As she waltzes in, her energy is palpable – like a refreshing breeze on a hot day. Melinda made the week’s work trip so much fun, I was sort of sad to see it come to an end.
Melinda Deurksen is one of those rare gems that make Lassen County feel like home.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because she is a dedicated instructor at Lassen Community College. She’s the kind of teacher who can make even the most complex topics in Computer Information Systems (CIS) feel like a walk in the park – albeit a tech-savvy one.
With her extensive teaching background that spans college, high school and adult education, she’s got a knack for breaking down the tech jargon into bite-sized pieces that anyone can digest… even me.
But Melinda isn’t just about hitting the books. She also wears a few other hats – like being the Curriculum Co-chair and the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Liaison for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. Talk about multitasking!
Her commitment to improving educational programs ensures that students are not just learning, but are also well-prepared for the workforce.
I often find myself looking over at her, feeling like I’m about to be buried under a pile of academic jargon. And there she is, with that trademark grin, making it all feel a little less overwhelming. Her humor is like a secret weapon against the stress of accreditation.
While I’m frantically scribbling notes and trying to decipher the latest compliance standards, Melinda has this uncanny ability to lighten the mood.
But Melinda does way more than just teach college students, she is also a volunteer volleyball coach for her home team in Westwood (and she has been for years). In my humble opinion ANYONE who dedicates their time to teaching or coach the youth are more precious than gold to our community.
I would love for my daughters to have a coach, mentor, role model like Melinda in their life! What a blessing she is those girls.
Aside from that, Melinda somehow spends the remainder of her time being the world’s coolest wife and mother. Her husband Forest has a special place in my heart as a firefighter for Westwood. Being the spouse of a firefighter is no easy feat, and she does it with such grace.
My wonderful friend does it all – coaching volleyball, leading 4-H projects, and being an incredible teacher. She truly proves that with a little humor and a lot of heart, you can make a big impact, and she is one of the reasons I love where we live.
