Diana Petrarca
In 2003, Diana Petrarca helped the university open the doors to its first students.
The prospect of creating and building new programs drew her to our Faculty of Education; the opportunities for growth, expansion, collaboration and learning have kept her here.
"My journey is unique in that I thought my stay here would be temporary, and that I would eventually return to my elementary school classroom once the faculty was up and running," she said. "But here I am 12 years later as a tenure track faculty member."
Every day Diana witnesses her students embracing new teaching approaches and creating safe spaces for learning. As future teachers they will face many challenges and joys. Diana wants to build a solid foundation for their careers.
In fact, she was inspired by her students, colleagues, and the scholarship of teaching and learning, to pursue her own doctoral studies. Petrarca believes teachers play such an influential role in student learning, and she feel a tremendous responsibility as a researcher and teacher educator to ensure not only our graduates, but the general public as well, understand and appreciate that teaching is not simply the transmission of information at the front of a classroom.
Today, Diana continues to open doors for students. Through her contributions to the Student Success Fund, she increases access to opportunity for the teachers of tomorrow. Through her instruction and donations, she is changing the perception of schooling and teaching to nurture critical and creative thinkers.
"Since we are still relatively new, our programs keep growing and expanding. I have learned a tremendous amount as a faculty member by being part of the collaborative process in establishing new courses and initiatives. It’s wonderful to see our graduates become caring and skilled educators who are doing amazing things for learners and their communities.”
– Dinana Petrarca, EdD
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education
Monthly Payroll Donor, Faculty of Education Deans' Endowed Scholarship
