About Teaching Strategies

Teaching Strategies is a dynamic early childhood education publishing company that is committed to making a difference in the lives of children birth through age 5. Our mission is to enhance the quality of early childhood programs by offering practical, innovative, and developmentally appropriate curriculum materials; staff development services and materials; and parenting resources. Producing materials that are comprehensive, practical, easy-to-use, and based on the best and most current research is one way we contribute to improving the care and education of young children. We also publish comprehensive, easily understood parent education resources, because we believe that strong partnerships between educators and families are essential.

The History of Teaching Strategies

Teaching Strategies was founded by Diane Trister Dodge in 1988. After receiving a Master's degree from the Bank Street College of Education in New York, Diane taught preschool and kindergarten. In 1966, she moved to Mississippi to become the first Education Coordinator for a new Head Start program that served 900 children.

On the basis of her experiences in Mississippi and at the National Child Day Care Association in Washington, DC, Diane developed a curriculum that translated research and theory into a practical and comprehensive approach. Thus The Creative Curriculum® was born. As the demand for curriculum and staff development resources increased, Diane established Teaching Strategies so that new materials could reach more programs. At Teaching Strategies, we work collaboratively to meet the diverse and constantly evolving needs of the early childhood community with new resources and services.

Today there are more than 75 employees at Teaching Strategies who work to produce top-quality educational resources for early childhood education programs. Staff members and consultants are professionals who bring years of experience from Head Start, child care, primary and elementary education, child advocacy, state and federal agencies, resource and referral agencies, training, consulting, and program administration. Teaching Strategies supports and encourages staff members to be affiliated with local and national education advocacy organizations and other associations that enhance professional growth.