Diane Tutin
Senior Lecturer in Education
Experienced educator with interests in children's literature, literacy learning, fostering communities of learners, and special education.
My interests are in how children learn to read, write, and speak and how teachers learn to effectively teach them. As a classroom teacher for eighteen years, I taught both urban and suburban students. I was a teacher of children with emotional, behavioral, and learning differences as well as a teacher of first and third grade. I began my teaching career in an alternative school for boys with social and emotional challenges whose needs were not met in the Boston Public Schools. I worked in special education for seven years. During that time, I learned an enormous amount about individual learning styles, growth mindset, and the importance of connecting with students through strong connections with them, their families, and communities. I taught first and third grade in the Wellesley Public Schools for eleven years and completed my graduate studies in language and literacy.
My association with Wellesley College began as a placement for student teachers. I became a member of the team that teaches the methods course for Elementary Education student teachers over fifteen years ago. I currently teach EDUC 310 Child Literacy and the Teaching of Reading as well as EDUC 325 Educating English Language Learners. I continue to participate frequently in professional institutes and workshops in the field of literacy. I am passionate about children’s literature and find great joy in helping students learn to teach literacy skills and strategies by anchoring them to quality and diverse children’s literature. I’m currently certified in Massachusetts to teach Elementary Education in grades 1-6, Moderate Special Needs from preschool to grade 9, and Reading in grades K-12. I’m a member of the International Literacy Association, the Massachusetts Reading Association, MATSOL - Massachusetts Teachers of English Learners, and Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the International Literacy Association's honor society.
I am a wife as well as a mother to an adolescent daughter. I enjoy seeing the world through her eyes. Books are an important part of our home life. I enjoy talking about books and finding out what others are reading. I also love to sing. I am a soprano who has performed on stage in many musicals at regional, stock, and community theaters. I currently sing in my synagogue's choir.
Education
- B.A., Clark University
- M.Ed., Framingham State College
Current and upcoming courses
Pre-Practicum Field Experience
EDUC398H
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Students will examine current research and practice in the teaching of English Language Learners, with a focus on secondary education. Students will explore challenges facing this diverse group of learners and how to build on the assets they bring to their classroom communities. Students will develop skills necessary to plan and promote discussion, engagement, and content mastery while supporting continued language development. Lesson planning will prioritize culturally relevant and responsive teaching while acquiring skills to analyze and adapt required teaching materials. Limited fieldwork observations are required either online or in person; more extensive fieldwork can be arranged. The course is structured to support students pursuing middle school and high school teacher licensure and meets requirements for a MA Department of Education endorsement in Sheltered English Immersion when MA Secondary Education certification requirements are completed. It is also applicable to students considering teaching abroad, teaching in urban schools, or pursuing any other work with emerging bilingual youth.. Enrollment in this course is by permission of the instructor. Students interested in taking this course should fill out this Google Form.
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This seminar engages students directly with the exciting work of teaching, curriculum development, and working with youth in middle and high school classrooms. Explorations of vital areas of education are joined with discussions of important contemporary issues facing youth, teachers, and our school systems. The development of engaging and creative learning environments is a central focus, as are teacher practices which support the academic, social, emotional, and identity strengths and needs of youth. A laboratory session allows students to practice teaching lessons and an accompanying carefully chosen field placement involves students in a public school classroom one day a week. This course is designed for seniors in the Wellesley Secondary Teacher Education Program, and for others who do not plan to complete teacher training at Wellesley, but who want to teach after graduation or explore what teaching might be like.