Early Childhood Education

• Annual Early Learning Conference
• Course Listings
• Degrees, Programs and Certificates
• Faculty
• Florida Credentialing
• Registration Information

Full-Time Faculty

Nana Robertson, Ed.D., Program Manager

Dr. Robertson is the program manager for the Early Childhood Education Department at Seminole State College of Florida. She holds a doctorate degree in higher education leadership with special emphasis in early childhood education. Dr. Robertson has a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in preschool education. She received an Endowed Teaching Chair Award in 2008.

Dr. Robertson has 30 years of experience in early childhood settings. She has worked as a preschool teacher, childcare center director and supervisor of 50 childcare centers throughout the Southeastern United States. She also has served as a Child Development Associate (CDA) representative for the National Council in Washington, D.C., and a CDA advisor for Seminole State students for the past 10 years.

Olga Gonzalez, M.B.A.

Olga Gonzalez is the Career Program Advisor for the Early Childhood Education Department at Seminole State College. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Mrs. Gonzalez is a member of the Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC), Florida Career Professionals Association (FCPA) and National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) with 34 years of experience in business, insurance and college-related fields of work. Mrs. Gonzalez is knowledgeable of student affairs and enjoys helping students accomplish their goals. She is the liaison between Student Affairs and the Early Childhood Education Department to facilitate and enhance student advising, registration, retention and program completion.

Dianne Waller, M.A.

Dianne Waller serves as a professor of Early Childhood Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in elementary education from the University of Central Florida, and an Early Childhood Education diploma from London Montessori Center.

Waller has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher in both early childhood and elementary school settings. She also has opened centers and served as the director of early childhood programs in Saudi Arabia and California.

Waller has served as an accreditation validator for the Association of Christian Schools International, presented at its annual conferences and been published in Christian Early Education magazine.

Part-Time Employees

Tanya Rose, B.S.

Tanya Rose is the Early Childhood Grant Coordinator for the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole and Seminole State College. This position gives her the opportunity to coordinate the annual Early Childhood Conference, Curriculum Fair, Parent Workshops and the Provider and Parent Newsletters for local child care providers and their families.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in human services with the focus on family and child development from Auburn University and has an Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through Children’s Medical Services. Along with her education, Rose has more than 18 years of experience working in early childhood education, child development and parent education.

Adjunct Professors

Diane T. Doyle, M.A.

Diane Doyle holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in psychology from Stony Brook University in New York and a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in early childhood education from the University of Central Florida.

Doyle teaches courses in Seminole State's Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program and at the Rollins College Child Development Center with children and undergraduate students in the Psychology Department.

In 2009, she presented at the conference for the National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers in Washington, D.C., and at the Good Neighbor Conference at Rollins College.

Victoria Martinez, Ph.D.

Victoria Martinez has a bachelor's degree in international studies, a master's degree in child development and a Ph.D. in family and child ecology. She is certified in DECA Program Implementation Training as well as in Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher Training.

Martinez has contributed to the field of early childhood education with numerous publications, invited addresses, professional memberships and volunteer service.

Gretchen McCallister, M.A.

Gretchen McCallister has a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Central Florida. She has 20 years of teaching experience in settings ranging from preschool to community colleges.

Laurie Mealor, M. Ed.

Laurie Mealor has a bachelor's degree in exceptional student education and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in early childhood special education with an emphasis in infant/toddler development. She has more than 16 years of experience teaching infants and special-needs children and has served as the director of a private preschool and kindergarten. She also has served as a volunteer and board member for various education organizations.

Stacy Taylor, M.A., B.C.B.A.

Stacy Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rollins College and earned her master’s degree in early childhood education at the University of Central Florida. For more than 14 years, she has worked as an early childhood specialist, early interventionist and behavior analyst providing services to young children with developmental, learning and behavioral challenges. She has served as director for three early intervention programs and currently owns and operates Advance Behavior & Learning in Central Florida. In addition to providing one-on-one treatment to children, she has also provided training and consultation to parents, teachers, therapists, schools and agencies. She has taught bachelor's-level courses throughout her career, and her program serves as an internship site to help students gain real-world experience with children and families.

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