A Penguin Story
Building a Nurturing Nest
The Penguin Nest was founded with a commitment to empowering educators in creating inclusive, supportive environments for young children, especially those with developmental challenges. After years in the field of early childhood special education, Dionne saw a clear need for professional resources that help educators implement effective, inclusive practices. Many teachers, particularly in preschool and early elementary settings, face challenges in meeting the diverse needs of their students without sufficient guidance and support.
Inspired by the nurturing and collaborative spirit of penguin communities, The Penguin Nest was created to fill this gap. We provide educators with evidence-based training, practical strategies, and ongoing support, so they can feel confident in reaching every child, regardless of their unique needs. By empowering educators, our mission is to ensure that more children with developmental delays and disabilities have the chance to thrive in inclusive classrooms and beyond. At The Penguin Nest, we see the dedication, heart, and resilience you bring to your classroom each day, and we're here to support you on that journey.
Meet Your Instructor
Hi! I'm Dionne, the founder and owner of The Penguin Nest.
I'm so glad you're here!
Once upon a time...
...there was a little girl who loved to play 'school'.
From an early age, I found myself at home in the classroom—quite literally! My mom, a dedicated special education teacher, had me by her side, helping in her classroom and learning the value of fostering curiosity and growth in young minds. It was here, in those early moments, that I truly felt the spark for teaching.
And so she began her quest for knowledge...
As I pursued my degree in Child Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, my passion for early childhood education deepened. A life-changing experience working in an inclusive early childhood center on campus taught me how transformative an inclusive, supportive environment can be for every child. This experience pushed me to pursue a teaching license in Early Childhood Special Education and solidified my commitment to supporting all children, especially those with developmental delays.
After beginning my career, my commitment to inclusive education only deepened. I returned to school to earn my master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado, further equipping myself to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children.
The path of a teacher began to unfold...
Since then, my career has spanned continents and classrooms across the country—from a primary school in Australia to linguistically, culturally, and racially diverse university-based early childhood programs in Wisconsin to inclusive preschool classrooms in school districts in Colorado and Washington. My teaching experiences have included both leading a classroom and also co-teaching and providing itinerant services for students with diverse needs. For 10 years, I served as a Child Find evaluator, conducting play-based assessments for children from birth through kindergarten to identify developmental needs and provide crucial early intervention support. Most recently, my work focused on building inclusive opportunities within a school district, helping preschoolers thrive alongside their peers. Each experience has deepened my commitment to supporting educators and nurturing inclusive, dynamic learning environments for every child.