Diane’s educational background includes a degree in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Social Work from Atlanta University. Her previous work experience includes a position as an adult education/staff development officer with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services and a five-year stint as a middle school coordinator for The New School in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

In her work as an upper-school teacher at Foothills Academy, Diane leads classes in a way that reflects her belief in learning as a lifelong journey. Whether the daily activity in her classroom involves reading a work of literature, writing a paper or planning a senior project, she establishes clear guidelines and expectations and does not hesitate to engage in the learning process alongside her students. She believes that each individual learns in his or her own unique way, and teaches accordingly by building lesson plans and assessments that allow students to explore and express their understanding by using various modalities (that is, via a number of disciplines that include the visual arts, creative writing, formal writing and presentations, and verbal discussions). When it comes to class projects, she often builds in opportunities for participant self-assessment, and encourages students to get involved in curriculum design or to develop their own assignments. At the same time, she embraces Foothills’ rigorous, college-prep curriculum and works to build in appropriate challenges for student achievement.

 

Since joining the Foothills faculty in 1995, she has worked throughout the school: from her early teaching in the K–2 program to teaching creative writing to students from the first to tenth grades. She has also taught everything from world literature to the humanities to global issues. Diane’s supportive nature and willingness to emphasize service learning and the promotion of human dignity creates an atmosphere in the classroom that helps students develop strong leadership skills, compassion for others and, ultimately, life-long self-respect.

 

Diane joined the Foothills board of trustees in 2007, when she was voted by the Foothills faculty to serve as faculty representative and is currently a member of the marketing committee. Currently, Dianne is the Division Lead for the Upper School.