My philosophy of teaching embraces the importance of providing a learning environment that is active/interactive, relevant, engaging, and supportive. I see my role of teacher/professor as multifaceted (teacher/learner-facilitator-coach--model-encourager-critical/creative thinker-and more…). An engaging learning environment fosters students’ critical and creative thinking as well as their investment in the learning process. Providing opportunities for students to enhance their own strengths and to gain new ones assists them in experiencing success and the overall enjoyment of learning.

Dr. Diane Reese received her B.A. in English at the University of Florida and started her educational career teaching English at Leto High School in Tampa, Florida. She later completed her M.A. in Reading and a Ph.D. in Reading/Language Arts at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Reese teaches Reading Techniques I, Reading Techniques II, as well as Critical Reading and Thinking Skills on the St. Petersburg/Gibbs (SPG) Campus. She is also Instructor-in-Charge of the SPG Academic Resource Commons.

Dr. Reese’s instructional experiences have included teaching reading and English in middle and high school, teaching college reading strategies and study skills, serving as a reading specialist in a K-12 school, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in reading/language arts, and supervising pre-service teachers during their teaching internships.

Some of Dr. Reese’s past and/or current professional activities have included serving as managing editor of the Florida Reading Quarterly from 1995-1997; serving as secretary, vice president-elect, vice president, and president of the Florida Reading Association (FRA) between 1997 and 2005; serving currently on the FRA Administrative Committee and the FRA Conference Committee; serving currently on the FOR-PD General Advisory Board; serving on two past Florida Teacher of the Year state selection committees; serving for a two-year term on the Florida Developmental Education Association (FDEA) Board of Directors from 1995-1997 and is currently serving a second term from 10/2007-10/2009; serving on several writing teams for the state tests for reading and language arts; serving as president of Beta Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; serving on the Title III Activity Task Force for SPC, serving on SPC’s FGO and Faculty Senate; serving on several SPC college-wide committees; serving on SPC’s Dimensions Committee for the First Year Experience Foundations of Excellence; and serving as co-chair of the SPC cross-campus Information Commons/Learning Support Center/NIP/ARC standing committee. Dr. Reese has given presentations at county, state, and national conferences and maintains her active memberships in several professional organizations that promote research in best teaching practices, learning strategies, critical and creative thinking, and effective reading/language arts instruction.

Dr. Reese loves teaching, learning, and helping students to travel successfully along their pathways toward reaching their current and long range goals.