Dr. Diane is proud to collaborate with Steve Spangler Inc. to build connections between children's literature and meaningful learning. She currently serves as an adjunct professor for the University of Virginia and Shenandoah University, where her mission is to help her students use multicultural literature to provide windows and mirrors as they challenge their students to engage in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative challenges.
Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor brings more than 20 years of formal and informal education leadership to the professional development adventure. She earned her M.T. and PhD in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia. In addition to teaching elementary school and working with early reading intervention programs, she founded a preschool built on the idea that all children were natural scientists and explorers (and that multicultural picture books could connect all of the thematic units).
During her time with the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, she developed and provided in-person and virtual hands-on science and STEM programs that brought the "wow" and inspired curiosity and wonder in children of all ages. She also created STEAM Nights that engaged thousands of families in interactive, literature-based challenges across a tri-state region, as well as developed a highly successful summer camp program.
Over the years, Dr. Diane has presented at regional, state, and national conferences, focusing on helping educators connect multicultural literature to engaging and meaningful STEM/STEAM challenges.
