Diane E. Pirlot

Although Ms. Diane Pirlot didn’t initially envision being a teacher, she is thrilled that her path led her to education. She started working at her family’s Michigan resort, Welker’s Lodge, Inc., and loved having the opportunity to meet all kinds of people. However, when her granddaughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, she saw that the teachers didn’t understand how to handle it and knew she had to do something to help. Now, Ms. Pirlot is thriving as a special education teacher and elementary teacher at the OUSD Ivey Ranch. Her main responsibility is to work with severely handicapped children and enable them to participate more in the world.

Ms. Pirlot prepared for her endeavors by earning a Master of Science, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts from National University. She also obtained a teaching certification from the State of California and joined prominent professional organizations such as the National Education Association. She has served the latter as a member of both the Special Education Caucus and the Women’s Caucus. To stay in touch with her peers, Ms. Pirlot has spent time as the president of the Grand Marais in Michigan, the Chamber of Commerce, as the leader of 4-H, the president of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs and a U.S. representative for the Bicentennial Committee. Her achievements were featured among the pages of Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who of American Women.