In Veendam, Groningen, where cycling paths cut through neighborhoods and education remains a cornerstone of community life, Jeroen Dik is shaping young minds every weekday. He’s not just another primary school teacher. His story is one of persistence, growth, and purpose—from supermarket shifts to teaching full-time, with years spent mentoring children in sports along the way.
Jeroen’s journey reflects a commitment to guiding children in more ways than one—academically in the classroom, and physically on the field. He’s someone who has earned his place in education through hands-on experience and continuous learning. This article explores Jeroen’s professional path, his educational background, the value of his coaching and volunteer work, and the broader lessons his career brings for those passionate about youth development.
Early Steps: Starting Young and Gaining Ground
Before entering the world of teaching, Jeroen Dik took on jobs like many others in their teens and early twenties. From 2012 to 2015, he worked as a shelf stocker at Albert Heijn in Veendam. It was steady work, but more importantly, it introduced him to structure, teamwork, and responsibility—traits that would later serve him well in the classroom.
In 2015, he briefly worked at Zonnehuisgroep Noord, assisting in a restaurant setting. While this role wasn’t directly tied to education or sports, it placed Jeroen in a service-oriented environment, where communication and empathy were essential.
These early jobs laid the groundwork for his approach to work—consistent, community-focused, and always evolving.
Moving Toward Education: From Sports to the Classroom
Jeroen’s academic direction took shape when he joined Alfa-college in 2015 to study physical education and sports. The focus was clear: youth development through physical activity. Over four years, he built skills in coaching, sports instruction, and physical fitness. During this period, he also obtained a UEFA C coaching license from KNVB in January 2018, signaling that he wasn’t just interested in playing sports—he wanted to lead and mentor others through them.
Parallel to his studies, Jeroen volunteered as a football trainer for Veendam 1894 between 2014 and 2019. These five years of volunteer work gave him real-world experience that few classrooms can replicate. Working with kids on the football pitch helped him understand motivation, discipline, and positive reinforcement—qualities that are just as relevant in teaching as they are in sports coaching.
Academic Credentials: A Deeper Commitment to Teaching
In 2019, Jeroen enrolled at Hanze University of Applied Sciences to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Education, specializing in primary education (PABO). This was a shift from physical development to broader intellectual development, but the core stayed the same: helping children grow.
Over four years, he immersed himself in early childhood development, curriculum planning, child psychology, and classroom management. This wasn’t theoretical learning alone; it involved internships, practical teaching experiences, and community engagement.
Graduating in 2023, Jeroen walked out of Hanze ready for full-time teaching—equipped with both theory and field-tested strategies from his years as a coach and assistant in childcare.
The Years in Childcare: Learning Through Observation and Action
From September 2016 to August 2023, Jeroen worked part-time as a pedagogical staff member at Kindercentrum Hoi Pippeloi in Veendam. For seven years, he contributed to a setting that bridges home and school—daycare. This experience allowed him to work with children in a non-academic environment, observing behavior, managing routines, and creating safe, engaging spaces for development.
This experience was pivotal. It gave him insights into children’s emotions, needs, and natural curiosity. It also required patience and adaptability—two traits that can’t be faked in childcare settings.
His long tenure at Hoi Pippeloi also reflects something important: consistency. He wasn’t job-hopping. He was absorbing, growing, and refining how he interacts with children.
Full-Time Teaching at Stichting PrimAH
In August 2023, Jeroen officially began his journey as a full-time primary school teacher at Stichting PrimAH. The organization supports various schools and educators in delivering quality foundational education. For Jeroen, this move wasn’t just a job upgrade—it was the result of years of training, effort, and personal development.
At Stichting PrimAH, Jeroen now handles the daily dynamics of the classroom. He teaches math, language, reading, and social skills. More importantly, he creates environments where students feel heard and supported.
Having coached on the pitch and mentored in childcare, Jeroen understands how different children respond to different settings. His approach in the classroom blends structure with flexibility. He uses examples from real life. He introduces movement into lessons when possible. And he’s always observing—asking what works and adapting when it doesn’t.
Coaching Roots and Leadership Off the Field
While Jeroen is no longer officially listed as an active football trainer, the impact of his five years with Veendam 1894 is still visible in how he leads today. Coaching football isn’t just about drills and games—it’s about team spirit, resilience, and consistent effort.
In school, those same coaching principles show up in how he motivates students, mediates peer conflicts, and fosters group collaboration. Whether it’s a group project or a classroom discussion, Jeroen knows when to lead, when to support, and when to listen.
That UEFA C certification from 2018? It symbolizes more than coaching—it reflects his readiness to guide, plan, and take responsibility in youth environments.
The Role of Community in Jeroen’s Story
One of the more understated parts of Jeroen’s journey is how connected it is to Veendam. From his first job to his education and volunteer work, everything is rooted in this small Dutch town.
Rather than leaving for larger cities or chasing roles elsewhere, Jeroen has invested in his local community. His work benefits local families, local schools, and local sports clubs. In turn, Veendam has given him steady platforms for growth—employers that value continuity and development, and a tight-knit setting where impact is visible.
This local commitment shows that meaningful careers don’t always require moving far away. Sometimes, growth happens best right where you are.
Education and Sports: Two Tools, One Mission
Education and sports often get treated as separate tracks. But in Jeroen’s career, they work hand-in-hand. Whether it’s teaching fractions or practicing corner kicks, both require trust, repetition, and positive reinforcement.
Jeroen has mastered the ability to move between the two, borrowing from one to strengthen the other. A classroom that incorporates physical movement? That’s the sports background in play. A football drill that encourages teamwork and fairness? That’s the educator stepping in.
By combining these tools, Jeroen helps children develop both mentally and physically.
Lessons for Future Educators
Jeroen’s career highlights several key lessons for anyone entering education:
- Experience matters more than titles early on – His years in childcare and sports coaching were foundational before any formal degree.
- Education is ongoing – Moving from Alfa-college to Hanze University shows the importance of continuous learning.
- Community engagement adds value – Volunteering locally created both skill growth and personal impact.
- Skills are transferable – Coaching techniques like communication, observation, and adaptability are vital in classrooms.
- Patience pays off – Seven years in part-time roles laid the groundwork for a full-time teaching career.
Looking Ahead
With over a year now as a full-time teacher, Jeroen’s professional path is only beginning. The solid foundation he’s built—from supermarket aisles to structured lesson plans—gives him flexibility in how he continues.
He may move into school leadership roles, mentor other educators, or return to youth sports in a new capacity. Whatever comes next, it’s clear that he’ll approach it with the same energy he’s shown since his earliest roles.
Conclusion
Jeroen Dik represents a story that many can relate to—starting from humble jobs, growing through study and persistence, and finding a place where passion and profession meet. Whether he’s guiding children through early math lessons or helping them navigate a tricky team exercise on the football field, he’s focused on helping them become better, more confident individuals.
