Diane DuChateau

Autobiography
My journey began as the fourth child born to George and Verna Kobes from
Denmark, Wisconsin. I joined the family on February 6, 1961. Throughout my
childhood and teen years, I helped on the family dairy farm. I come from a family of
three sisters and one brother. I am the second youngest.
I attended Denmark High School. During my senior year of high school, I
became involved in a class that provided tutoring to the children in the elementary
school. Being several years younger than my older sisters and brother, I would often
babysit for nieces and nephews. It was during these times that I realized that I
enjoyed and felt comfortable working with children. I was interested in what they
said and did. I found it intriguing to talk with them. I can still remember to this day
my niece Jenny always asking why questions.
A year after high school graduation, I enrolled in the Child Development Program
at Fox Valley Technical Institute in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1982, I received my
Associates Degree in Child Development. Through the encouragement of my
instructors, I went on to complete my Bachelors of Art Degree in Elementary
Education with a minor in Early Childhood. At the time, private colleges were the
only ones accepting credit from technical institutes so I enrolled at St. Norbert
College where I received my degree in 1985. During this time, I met my husband,
Keith and we were married in 1986.
After receiving my B.A., I accepted two part time positions as a preschool
teacher: one with Green Bay Day Nursery and the other with the YWCA . I did apply
for teaching positions in local school systems but at that time there were many

applicants per position. While working for Green Bay Day Nursery and the YWCA, I
found that I enjoyed working with our youngest children. I was offered a full time
position with Green Bay Day Nursery which is now known as Encompass Early
Education and Care. Through the years working with Encompass, I have been a
preschool and kindergarten teacher. I have been an Assistant Director and then
moved on to be a Center Director which is a position I still hold today. I am,
currently, at Encompass smallest centers, The Arlene B. Walter Center. Our
programs licensed capacity is 45 children, and we serve children 6 weeks through
11 years of age.
Throughout the years, I have taken credit classes as well as attended various
trainings. I am a currently a master teacher trainer on the The-Wisconsin Registry.
The majority of trainings I have done have been with center staff as well as at
Encompass All Staff Professional Development Day. Being part of this Leadership
Credential Cohort has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader. I found that it
has fanned the embers to a flame.
If someone would ask me today what I do, I would reply, I am an Early
Childhood Professional. I am a Center Director for Encompass Early Education and
Care. I get to work on a daily basis with our youngest children and their families. I
am given the opportunity to lead and work side by side with staff in the Early
Childhood field. I am an Early Childhood Professional.

Diane DuChateau Contact

Information:
Home: 1201 Mather, Green Bay,
WI 54303
Cell: 920-619-7472
DDuChateau@encompasseec.org