We are excited and honored to announce our new editors-in-chief of ColleensCorner.net!  

Barbara Díaz and Karen Dube Calise have graciously accepted our invitation to be apart of Colleen’s Corner.  Barbara and Karen bring decades of experience and passion in child development, child psychology, curriculum development and innovation.  As editors in chief, they will oversee our Teacher Advocacy Program, which empowers teachers to publish their knowledge and learnings on current/relative topics.  Our goal is to bridge the gap between teachers and parents and allow teachers to educate parents on how to inspire reading comprehension and educational success outside the classroom.

As we continue to grow Colleen’s Corner, we knew our online voice and presence was just as important as the materials and assets we provide to classroom corners.  We also knew that we needed to increase our credibility within the community, and educational systems.  Barbara and Karen bolster our presence within the community and school system and bring decades of knowledge, experience and passion.  We couldn’t be more happy about them being on-board!

Please find more information on Barbara and Karen below:

Barbara Díaz, M.Ed

Barbara is a recent retiree with decades of experience in early-childhood development, teacher coaching, supervising, curriculum building, and Bilingual/ESL Education. Barbara and Colleen worked closely together for many years and fueled each other’s passion to put children first in every decision they made.

No one understands children, the school system and Passaic better than Barbara Díaz. She started in the Passaic School district 36 years ago as a Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher earned her Masters in Bilingual/Bicultural Education from Kean University. After 21 years in the classroom she worked towards driving an even bigger impact by becoming a teacher coach and eventually Supervisor of Early Childhood Education. Prior to retiring, she worked as the Supervisor of Bilingual/ESL Education with Passaic Public Schools.

Barbara Díaz is now collaborating with William Paterson University as a Professor in Residence, coaching and supporting Early Childhood Education Centers. She is also administering ECERS-3 throughout the state of New Jersey.

Barbara is truly unrelenting in her quest to make a lasting impact on children and we couldn’t be prouder to have her onboard. Her experience in teaching, teacher coaching, supervisory and her extensive knowledge of English Language Learners will assist in providing the foundation of Colleen’s Corner.

Why Colleen’s Corner?

“I’m one of Colleen’s best friends and I’m excited and honored to help keep Colleen’s educational vision alive by being part of Colleen’s Corner.” – Barbara Diaz

Karen Dube Calise, Ed.S.

Karen earned her post graduate degrees from Florida International University and started her career in education as a Special Education teacher in the 4th largest school district in the United States, the Miami-Dade County Public School system.

As her passion for helping and enhancing child development continued, her professional path led her to take a job as a School Psychologist. After 5 years working as a School Psychologist in some of Miami-Dade’s most needy inner city schools, Karen took her talents to Passaic, NJ.

Karen has worked in the educational psychology field for 20 + years and is presently a Preschool Intervention Specialist for Passaic Public Schools in Passaic, NJ.

We are fortunate to have an educational psychology perspective at Colleen’s Corner. Karen comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, experience and energy; we are confident she will play a pivotal role in helping Colleen’s Corner to inspire children to read and be read to.

Why Colleen’s Corner?

“I’m one of Colleen’s chosen sisters; as such, and because of her passion about children and literacy, it is an honor, and my obligation, to keep her memory and vision alive through my involvement with Colleen’s Corner.” – Karen Dube Calise