Biography
Diane LaRoche-Halkides
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Email: [email protected]
I was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut to European immigrants. I have three adult children three grandsons and two granddaughters. I am a product of the environment that I was raised in, which is honest and hardworking. Both of my parents grew up during WWII and arrived in the United States as young adults, my father from Greece and my mother from Germany. They overcame adversity; living in poverty as children and having to start over in a new country where they didn't speak the language. My parents were proud to be American citizens, to own a home and be able to make a life worth living for themselves and my sister and myself. They were stern in my upbringing and expected that my sister and I contribute to the household by completing our chores or helping when they asked. My parents didn't believe in giving an allowance. To earn money I began babysitting during middle school and developed a love for children during that time.
Although my parents held my sister and I to a high standard and wouldn't accept anything less than our best, they still loved to have a good time. Our door was always open; it was rare that my parents weren't entertaining in our home. My mother is a perfect host and anyone who has had the pleasure of being in her company knows that she is known for culinary expertise. My father, who worked as a carpenter, was a giving and generous man who always offered his time and services to family and friends in need. My parents instilled these humble virtues of generosity, kindness and love by the way they lived their lives.
While raising my own three children, managing a busy household, and working full time, I began my college career taking courses in Early Childhood Education in 1996 at Norwalk Community College and finishing with a Master's in Early Childhood Education at Grand Canyon University. I truly love and enjoy time with my family, especially my grandchildren. I have been a dog owner for 43 years and currently have a 3 dogs at home.
Working with children has been passion of mine for so many years. I am so excited and look forward to working with the preschoolers and their families, introducing them to Catholic education at the Catholic Academy of Stamford.
Education:
- A. Human Development & Family Services (UCONN Stamford, Stamford)
- S. Early Childhood Education (Norwalk Community College, Norwalk)
- Master's in Early Childhood Education (Grand Canyon University)
Professional Experience/Recognitions:
- 1996 Assistant, Sara Walker Nursery School, Stamford
- 1997 Kindergarten Para Educator, K.T. Murphy Elementary School, Stamford
- 2001 Pre-K Teacher, Childcare Learning Centers, Stamford
- 2012 Pre-K Teacher, St. Clement Preschool, Stamford
- 2016 Pre-K Teacher, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Stamford
- 2017 Pre-K Teacher, Catholic Academy of Stamford
