Teacher Spotlight:
Ms. Diller
By Lucy A.
We connected with first grade teacher Ms. Diller to learn more about her life before Coe and her favorite subjects. Read to the very end to find out why we think we might catch her cartwheeling down the hallway one day.
Q. Were you born in a different state or country?
A. I was born in Concord, New Hampshire.
Q. Did you teach at a different school before Coe?
A. I started teaching in Garden Grove, California, where I taught K, 2nd, and 6th grade. I moved to Washington in 2003 and taught in Federal Way. I began teaching first grade at Coe in 2012.
Q. Do you have any children?
A. Yes. Jack (14), Anderson (12), and Emmiline (Emmy) (3)
Q. What do you like most about Coe?
A. I LOVE my students, their families, and my Coe-workers.
Q. What is your favorite part about teaching first grade?
A. I love teaching children how to read and spell and explain that English spelling makes perfect sense. Watching kids transform into readers is magical, and I feel lucky that I get to see a bit of magic every day.
Q: Tell us more about you?
A: I went to Boston University's Wheelock College of Education to get my official teaching degree, and I student taught with so many wonderful Boston teachers! Unfortunately, I never taught my sons. Mrs. Turner wouldn't let parents teach their kids. But I don't think they would've wanted me for their teacher. Phonics and spelling are my favorite subject to teach, but math is a close 2nd. Teaching online during COVID was a bit challenging, but it wasn't too bad. I got really good at animating PowerPoints. It was fun learning everything. I won't lie, it was tough. The TEAMS chime (the sound when someone comes into the waiting room) is something I never want to hear again. We all did things that we never thought we could do, even if it was crazy.
Q. Tell us some of your favorite things?
A. I love cartwheeling because they are a great exercise. They give you a great stretch, and they're so much fun! I love being upside down! I was a gymnast as a kid. For those gymnasts out there, I made it to level 8 before retiring. I had practice 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. After practicing that much, cartwheeling feels like walking!