Diana Ganger

Meet our guest

Our guest this month, Diana Ganger, is a professional coach, mentor and huge inspiration to us. Her background in social work makes her connection and care to and for people authentic and visible. Upon beginning our interview with Diana, she asked, “How do you create an environment where family is so visible?” She is passionate about her work in Jewish early childhood education and always asking important questions to drive excellence and new ways of thinking and learning.

Currently, Diana works as a coach/consultant in education and organization management. She is also a co-founder of an intergenerational program called Ideal 18. Diana worked for 20 years as the director at Moriah Early Childhood Center and the later as the program director for JECEI.

Diana Ganger can be reached via email: [email protected]

To find out more about her intergenerational work, visit Ideal18.

1. Take any opportunity to get to know parents better.

   • Nourish the relationship; it will make it stronger and better throughout.

   • Learn together. Read books, articles.

2. Ask yourself: how is my classroom set up?

   • Is it welcoming?

   • Does it represent your families?

   • Think about families from the beginning to send the message that they matter.

3. Preview what may come. Make the uncomfortable, comfortable.

4. Be transparent.

   • Paraphrase what you are hearing from them: “I want to make sure I understand…I’m hearing…”

   • “We know it’s hard to hear_____. We need your help with _____.” Is one way to begin a difficult conversation and let parents know you want to partner with them.

   • Don’t wait to tell them things you are noticing.

   • Give parents positive regard.