Written by: Kathleen Hoover Publication Date: March 1, 2009
Dr. José H. Leal, director of The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, has announced that Diane Orvis Thomas has assumed the position of public programs specialist for the Museum.This role is dedicated to the development and implementation of educational programs for children and adults as well as coordination of the Museum’s volunteer program.
Ms. Thomas was born in Middlebury, Vermont and spent her childhood years in Kinderhook, New York.She received an Undergraduate Degree in education from the University of Vermont – Burlington and a Master’s Degree in Reading from the University of Albany, State University of New York.
Ms. Thomas taught elementary school in New York for sixteen years, both in the classroom and serving as a reading resource specialist.She taught alternative learning programs for Columbia - GreenCommunity College in Hudson, New York before moving to Florida.For three years Ms. Thomas taught at ThreeOaksMiddle School in Fort Myers and most recently served as a reading specialist in CollierCounty, working with fourth grade students.
“I saw this job as a golden opportunity to spread my wings and pursue a career related to education that would provide a new, novel, and exciting challenge,” said Ms. Thomas.“I’m most excited about establishing the Museum as a summer learning center and developing new programming based on the needs of the local community and seasonal guests,” she added.
“We are very excited about our new team member and the expertise she will lend to our endeavors,” reported Dr. Leal.“We feel very fortunate that she has chosen the Museum as the venue for expanding her professional horizons,” he added.
Ms Thomas has two children living in AlbanyNew York. Her daughter holds a degree in marketing and advertising and is employed by Time Warner.She is working on her Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Her son has a degree in mechanical and biomedical engineering and he currently is working in the field of mechanical engineering.
In addition to education, Ms. Thomas has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys spending time kayaking in search of manatee, walking the beach to look for shells, bird watching, and playing golf or tennis.She is active in her church, singing in the choir and serving as a lay reader.
