Alumni & Student Stories
AUS Education Contributes to Alumna's Writing Success
Diane Davis
B.A. Liberal Studies, 1987; M.A. Psychology, 1994
Even before Diane Davis graduated from Antioch University Seattle (AUS) in 1987 with her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies focusing on Human Resources, she was already a published author. However, she was drawn to AUS as she knew she'd need a degree in order to become an educational trainer and counselor for children.
Her first book, Something is Wrong at My House: A Book About Parents Fighting (Parenting Press, Inc), was translated into both Spanish and Hebrew and now, 26 years and three books later, a revised edition has been reprinted. The new edition reflects Davis's more in-depth work with children and broader understanding of domestic violence.
Davis describes her enthusiasm for Antioch's unique style of education as based on two influences: the instructors and her fellow students.
"The instructors really had an impact. They took an interest and viewed me as an individual person. In addition, they enabled me to learn according to my own style and introduced me to incredibly different viewpoints. I felt like my classes were not just about substantive discussion and projects, they were about me being inspired, motivated and growing as a person. I also liked the other students. Like me, they were committed and independent, with highly individual learning styles. Much of what I learned came from those other students as many of us were in our 30s and 40s and already had experience working in our fields."
Her positive experience in her undergraduate studies led Davis back to AUS for a master's in Psychology degree which she completed in 1994, the same year she published another book, Reaching Out to Children with FAS/FAE: A Handbook for Teachers, Counselors, and Parents Who Live and Work with Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
While researching fetal alcohol syndrome, Davis called one of her former professors at AUS. That led her through a series of interviews which eventually resulted in Davis being invited to join the editorial board of the FAS newsletter, Iceberg.
Her fourth book, Stop It, Now!, (a work focused on preventing the sexual bullying of children) was written during the time Davis was working at AUS as an administrative assistant for the graduate Management, Human Resources and the Psychology programs.
Davis received support from the AUS community while she was writing. The illustrations (by Kelly Lyles) were drawn from a series of photographs. Several of the models were members of the Antioch staff.
Since graduating, Davis has worked as a counselor, trainer and consultant for such organizations as Child Care Resources & Referral of King County, School's Out Washington, the state DSHS Child Protective Services Division, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Washington State Association of Head Start/ECEAP, Seattle and Bellevue Public Schools, and the King County Health Department. She is also adjunct faculty at Bellevue College and North Seattle Community College. She graduated from AUS feeling well-equipped to fill all of these various roles.
"The situations we learned about in class were real. Every day I would leave class and apply what I learned."
She continues to work as a trainer/educator with a focus on children with special needs. She has conducted a webinar on autism disorders for the Washington State Head Start/ECEAP Association, and has more webinars to come including such topics as:
- Understanding autism;
- Understanding sensory integration disorder;
- Working with children with fetal alcohol disorder;
- Working with high-risk children; and
- Managing behavior in children with special needs.
Davis refers many students to AUS, saying: "The experience you start here won't end with your diploma. Every day you'll find yourself saying, 'oh yes, I can relate that to a class I took at Antioch.'"
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