Parents as Teachers
Diane Givenshas long been an advocate for parent education, early childhood education and family literacy. From grant writer to family literacy director to training facilitator,Givens’scareer has led her into many areas of the early childhood field. AtParents as Teachers, Givensoversees the department that coordinates theFamily and Children Education (FACE)program with theBureau of Indian Education, i-3 BabyFACEprogam andTribal Home Visiting.In this capacity, she directs and supports technical assistance and training to project sites in program implementation of home-based services.
For five years,Givensserved as the coordinator ofParents as Teachersearly literacy initiative. She provided support to programs in the field by developing and promoting early literacy training and products. She was a key player in the development of theNational Early Literacy Panel, Early Literacy Parent Handbook, Early Literacy Tool Kit,andEarly Literacy Professional Development.
Givenscontinues to partner with other organizations in the early literacy field to create and enhance materials, activities and promising practices to assist parents and educators in providing rich literacy environments in the homes of young children. She also participates in national and regional presentations and exhibits across the nation.
Givenshas served on theInternational Reading Association’s Family Literacy Committee(renamed as theEarly Literacy Committee); theNational Center for Family Literacy’s Family Literacy Alliance;and theNational Institute for Literacy, National Institute for Child Health and Human Development,andU.S. Department of Education’s Partnership for Reading.She also mentored severalHead Startprograms through licensing and certification. She recently served as aSt. Louis County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)and mentor, supporting abused and neglected children.
Givens’teaching experiences include early childhood, early literacy, cultural diversity classes atWebster University, University of Missouri-St. LouisandSt. Louis Community College Field Base Program.She served as a special expert work group member for theThird National Even Start Evaluation, U.S. Department of Education, ABT Associates. Givensalso provided technical assistance toEven Start American Indian Programsfor the U.S.Department of Education with Research and Training Associates, Inc.
Givensholds a bachelor’s degree from theUniversity of Missouri-Columbiaand a master’s degree in early education from theUniversity of Missouri-St. Louis.She has received specialized training inConstructivist, ReggioandFamily Literacy.She is a certified trainer inASQ-3andASQ:SE, Twiga Foundation Block Fest,andParents as Teachers Foundational/Implementation Training.In her spare time,Dianeenjoys working in her vegetable garden and reading to and with her niece,Nadia.
