Diane T. Goyette, M.A.
Founder & Owner of Early Childhood Specialties
CHILD DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST | MASTER LEVEL TRAINER | CONSULTANT | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | AUTHOR
In my 35 years in early childhood education, I've taught children in public school, university laboratories, faith-based preschools and child care programs.
I've served as an adjunct professor and developed hundred of hours of training and professional development for early childhood educators. I've spoken at many local, state, national and international conference, and just recently published a picture book for young children.
During most of my career, I have been raising a child with mental health special needs that include autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder. This experience has heightened my awareness of and empathy for challenges that other parents and teachers are facing and has drawn me to help them. I feel called to share what I have learned through my parenting journey, my experience in early childhood education, and my own ongoing professional development.
I am deeply passionate about the important role of relationships, fostering children’s social and emotional development, and helping teachers work with children who exhibit challenging behavior. I envision a more compassionate world where supported adults nurture and cherish each and every child, and I am committed to doing my best to make a contribution to this ideal.
I've served as an adjunct professor and developed hundred of hours of training and professional development for early childhood educators. I've spoken at many local, state, national and international conference, and just recently published a picture book for young children.
During most of my career, I have been raising a child with mental health special needs that include autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder. This experience has heightened my awareness of and empathy for challenges that other parents and teachers are facing and has drawn me to help them. I feel called to share what I have learned through my parenting journey, my experience in early childhood education, and my own ongoing professional development.
I am deeply passionate about the important role of relationships, fostering children’s social and emotional development, and helping teachers work with children who exhibit challenging behavior. I envision a more compassionate world where supported adults nurture and cherish each and every child, and I am committed to doing my best to make a contribution to this ideal.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
MASTER OF ARTS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT | THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUGUST 1986
· Major: Child Development
· Thesis: “Sex role development of the preschool child: Relationships among cognitive development, peer socialization, and social status.”
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE | LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY | MAY 1984
· Major: Family Life and Environment with certification in nursery school/kindergarten teaching
· Latin Honor: Cum Laude
· Major: Child Development
· Thesis: “Sex role development of the preschool child: Relationships among cognitive development, peer socialization, and social status.”
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE | LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY | MAY 1984
· Major: Family Life and Environment with certification in nursery school/kindergarten teaching
· Latin Honor: Cum Laude
Credentials
· Certified Child Care Health Consultant | Healthy Child Care Texas | August 2013
· Master Registered Level Trainer #1420 | Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System | March 2013
· Lifetime Texas Educator Certificate For Kindergarten & Pre-K| Texas Education Agency | August 1987
· Master Registered Level Trainer #1420 | Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System | March 2013
· Lifetime Texas Educator Certificate For Kindergarten & Pre-K| Texas Education Agency | August 1987
Professional Experience
OWNER | EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALTIES LLC | MAY 2013 - PRESENT
Develop and conduct trainings, provide consulting to child care providers, teachers, administrators, parents and others
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR | SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY | JANUARY 2014 – MAY 2015
Taught undergraduate class on early childhood developmentally appropriate curriculum
TRAINER & CONSULTANT | SELF-EMPLOYED | NOVEMBER 2009 - MAY 2013
Developed and conducted over 200 hours of trainings for child care providers and others
PRESCHOOL TEACHER| CROSSWAYS PRESCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2002 – MAY 2004
· Taught class of four-year-old children two mornings a week
· Created and implemented two specialty class curricula for four-year-old children: “Science Sensations” and “Blast Off with Books.”
MASTER TEACHER| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS CHILD & FAMILY LABORATORY| AUGUST 1996 – JANUARY 2000
Taught classes of three- and four-year-old children four mornings a week, supervising both student teachers and guidance students in the classroom
OUTREACH TRAINER| CONNECTIONS RESOURCE CENTER | AUGUST 1993 – SEPTEMBER 1996
· Worked with individual child care centers, evaluating programs, developing staff training plans, and planning and conducting workshops to meet their needs
· As Coordinator of Outreach Training, arranged, planned, and conducted “cluster training” workshops for child care providers
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR| TULANE UNIVERSITY | JANUARY 1989 – MAY 1991
Supervised early childhood education students who were student teaching in schools and non-school settings. Planned the course syllabus and led weekly college classes in seminar format
HEAD TEACHER| NEWCOMB COLLEGE NURSERY SCHOOL | AUGUST 1988 – MAY 1991
· Taught class of four-year-old children, supervised guidance students in the classroom
· As Camp Supervisor, administered summer camp program for preschool children, directed staff meetings
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER| AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | SEPTEMBER 1986 – MAY 1988
Taught at Joslin Elementary
TEACHING ASSISTANT| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUGUST 1984 – MAY 1985
As a graduate student, assisted in both a preschool class at the Child and Family Laboratory and an undergraduate class in Family Relationships
NURSERY DIRECTOR| ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH | 1981 – 1984
Supervised care of infants and toddlers during weekly services, oversaw student volunteer helpers
AIDE/LEAD TEACHER| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHEARLY LEARNING CENTER | 1981 – 1984
As an undergraduate, worked full time during summers and semester breaks teaching infants through preschoolers
Develop and conduct trainings, provide consulting to child care providers, teachers, administrators, parents and others
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR | SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY | JANUARY 2014 – MAY 2015
Taught undergraduate class on early childhood developmentally appropriate curriculum
TRAINER & CONSULTANT | SELF-EMPLOYED | NOVEMBER 2009 - MAY 2013
Developed and conducted over 200 hours of trainings for child care providers and others
PRESCHOOL TEACHER| CROSSWAYS PRESCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2002 – MAY 2004
· Taught class of four-year-old children two mornings a week
· Created and implemented two specialty class curricula for four-year-old children: “Science Sensations” and “Blast Off with Books.”
MASTER TEACHER| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS CHILD & FAMILY LABORATORY| AUGUST 1996 – JANUARY 2000
Taught classes of three- and four-year-old children four mornings a week, supervising both student teachers and guidance students in the classroom
OUTREACH TRAINER| CONNECTIONS RESOURCE CENTER | AUGUST 1993 – SEPTEMBER 1996
· Worked with individual child care centers, evaluating programs, developing staff training plans, and planning and conducting workshops to meet their needs
· As Coordinator of Outreach Training, arranged, planned, and conducted “cluster training” workshops for child care providers
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR| TULANE UNIVERSITY | JANUARY 1989 – MAY 1991
Supervised early childhood education students who were student teaching in schools and non-school settings. Planned the course syllabus and led weekly college classes in seminar format
HEAD TEACHER| NEWCOMB COLLEGE NURSERY SCHOOL | AUGUST 1988 – MAY 1991
· Taught class of four-year-old children, supervised guidance students in the classroom
· As Camp Supervisor, administered summer camp program for preschool children, directed staff meetings
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER| AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | SEPTEMBER 1986 – MAY 1988
Taught at Joslin Elementary
TEACHING ASSISTANT| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUGUST 1984 – MAY 1985
As a graduate student, assisted in both a preschool class at the Child and Family Laboratory and an undergraduate class in Family Relationships
NURSERY DIRECTOR| ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH | 1981 – 1984
Supervised care of infants and toddlers during weekly services, oversaw student volunteer helpers
AIDE/LEAD TEACHER| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHEARLY LEARNING CENTER | 1981 – 1984
As an undergraduate, worked full time during summers and semester breaks teaching infants through preschoolers
Volunteer Experience
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
· Thesis research: Society for Research in Child Development, American Educational Research Association.
· Presented many sessions at local and state conferences, and the following national and international conferences: NAEYC Annual Conferences; NAEYC Professional Development Institutes; Pacific Rim International Conference on Diversity and Disability; McCormick Center National Leadership Conference; World Forum on Early Care and Education
LEADERSHIP ROLES
· Founder & President of Mothers of Young Children support group, St Theresa Church, Austin, Texas
· Facilitator of Support Groups for Parents and Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Brain Disorders, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
· President of Homeowners Association, Regency Point, Montgomery, Texas
· President of Twin Lakes Women’s Association, Houston, Texas
· Thesis research: Society for Research in Child Development, American Educational Research Association.
· Presented many sessions at local and state conferences, and the following national and international conferences: NAEYC Annual Conferences; NAEYC Professional Development Institutes; Pacific Rim International Conference on Diversity and Disability; McCormick Center National Leadership Conference; World Forum on Early Care and Education
LEADERSHIP ROLES
· Founder & President of Mothers of Young Children support group, St Theresa Church, Austin, Texas
· Facilitator of Support Groups for Parents and Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Brain Disorders, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
· President of Homeowners Association, Regency Point, Montgomery, Texas
· President of Twin Lakes Women’s Association, Houston, Texas
Training Log
TRAININGS DEVELOPED AND CONDUCTED IN THE LAST 7 YEARS:
