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    Dr. Dianna Sumner
    Email: dianna.sumner@slps.org
    Room Number(s): 209
    Academic Instructional Coach
    Building Phone: (314) 371-1048
     
    Certifications: 
    • Instructional Leadership Certification (Harvard University)
    • Career Continuous Professional Certification (MO-DESE)
    • K-12 Advanced School Administration Superintendent Certification (Pending)(MODESE)
    • K-12 Special Reading Certification (MO-DESE/UMSL)
    • K-12 School Administration Certification (MO-DESE)
    • 9-12 Social Science Certification (MO-DESE)
    • 5-9 Social Science Certification (MO-DESE)
    • K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical Special Education (MO-DESE)
    • Kagan Training
    • Research for Better Teaching-High Impact Teacher Teams Certification
    • Cognitive Coaching (Thinking Collaborative-Cognitive Coaching Foundation)
    • eMINTS Certification (University of Missouri)
    • AP World History Certification (Southeast Missouri State University)
    • AP U.S. History Certification (Southeast Missouri State University)
     

    Hello!  My name is Dr. Dianna Sumner and I am the Academic Instructional Coach at Sumner High School. I have been in St. Louis Public Schools for 17 years and have enjoyed every moment of it. I am very passionate about the education of our younger generations and helping our young adult learners succeed in whatever pursuits their hearts and minds desire. My role as an AIC is to work in partnership with teachers in enhancing our best practices while amplifying the teaching and learning experiences of our students.

    2025 Supporting School Leader of the Year!!!
    2020 Humanities Educator of the Year!!!
    2014 St. Louis Public Schools District Teacher of the Year
    2014 Roget L. Goldman St. Louis Public Schools Middle/High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year!!! 

     
     
    Biography:
    Dr. Sumner has worked in St. Louis Public Schools for 17 years (18 including her internship at Carnahan under the leadership of Principal Dr. Alice Roach--who won the Lifetime Achiever in Education Award in 2015). Dr. Sumner received her Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Science at HBCU Harris-Stowe State University in 2007. In 2015, she completed her Masters Degree in School Administration at Lindenwood University. In 2018, Dr. Sumner completed her Doctorate Degree in Education with an emphasis in Teacher Leadership at Maryville University. In 2020, Dr. Sumner finished her second Masters Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Reading, along with her K-12 Reading Certification at the University of Missouri--St. Louis. In 2022, Dr. Sumner acquired her Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Cross-Categorical Disabilities at the University of Missouri--St. Louis. Just recently, Dr. Sumner completed her Educational Specialist in Educational Administration Degree at Lindenwood University. She is currently seeking an Advanced Administration Certificate-Superintendent license at Lindenwood University with plans to pursue her National Board Certification in the future. 
     
    YMCA Youth and Government Program
     
    Youth and Government Youth and Government (City Convention) Youth and Government (State Convention)
    Youth and Government Program-Sumner Delegation: (Click here to find out more!)
     
    During her tenure at St. Louis Public Schools, Dr. Sumner has been recognized for various accolades in education:
    • Cardinals’ Champions for Character-Youth and Government (Runner Up), 2024-2025
    • St. Louis Public Schools Supporting School Leader of the Year, 2024-2025
    • Dedication of Service to the Sumner Bulldog Community Award, 2022-2023
    • St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Award, 2021-2022
    • SLPS Foundation All Stars 2.0 Selection (Week of February 1-7), 2021-2022
    • College Kids Spotlight Award Nominee, 2020-2021
    • The Gateway Region YMCA Bill Gavin Service to Youth Award, 2020-2021
    • Carnahan HSOF Student's Choice September Teacher of the Month, 2020
    • St. Louis Public Schools Humanities Educator of the Year, 2019-2020
    • Walgreens WE Teachers Award Recipient, 2019-2020
    • December Carnahan High School of the Future Teacher of the Month, 2018
    • St. Louis Public Schools Humanities Educator of the Year (Semi-Finalist), 2017-2018
    • St. Louis Public Schools Humanities Educator of the Year (Runner-Up), 2016-2017
    • Missouri State Teacher of the Year (Nominee), 2013-2014
    • St. Louis Family Magazine Excellence in Education Award Recipient (2nd Place), 2013-2014
    • St. Louis Public Schools District Teacher of the Year, 2013-2014
    • Roger L. Goldman St. Louis Public Schools Middle/High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award Recipient, 2013-2014
    • MLB People's All Star Teacher Award Nominee Candidacy, 2013-2014
    • Honorary Guest to Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander for UMSL Commencement Ceremony, 2013
    • Pettus Foundation Award of Excellence Recipient, 2012-2013
    • September Carnahan High School of the Future Teacher of the Month, 2012
     Honorary Guest to UMSL Commencement Ceremony with Missouri's Secretary of State Jason Kander   
    Special Guest with Secretary of State of Missouri Jason Kander at UMSL Commencement Ceremony (2013-2014)
     
     
    Professional Experience:
    Dr. Sumner has performed the following roles within St. Louis Public Schools:
    • Academic Instructional Coach
    • Maryville Doctoral Program Mentor
    • Building Teacher Mentor for SLPS New Teachers Program
    • New Teacher Mentor-SLU Fellowship Program
    • New Teacher Mentor-Lindenwood University Program
    • Student Mentor
    • Youth and Government Advisor-Coach
    • UMSL Adjunct Professor, Literacy
    • 9-12 Social Studies Teacher (Carnahan High School)
    • Social Studies Department Chair
    • Professional Learning Committee Leader (PLC)
      
    Degrees and Certifications:
    • Educational Specialist in Education Administration (Lindenwood University), Honors
    • Masters in Special Education-Emphasis in Cross-Categorical Disabilities (University of Missouri, St. Louis), Honors
    • Doctorate Degree in Education-Emphasis in Teacher Leadership (Maryville University), Honors
    • Masters in Secondary Education-Emphasis in Reading (University of Missouri, St. Louis), Honors
    • Master of Arts in School Administration (Lindenwood University), Honors
    • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education-Emphasis in Social Science (Harris-Stowe State University) Salutatorian, Summa Cum Laude
    • Associate Degree in Science (Lewis and Clark Community College), Honors
    • Instructional Leadership Certification (Harvard University)
    • Career Continuous Professional Certification
    • K-12 Special Reading Certification
    • K-12 School Administration Certification
    • 9-12 Social Science Certification
    • 5-9 Social Science Certification
    • K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical Special Education Certification
    • Research for Better Teacher-High Impact Teacher Teams Certification
    • Cognitive Coaching (Thinking Collaborative-Cognitive Coaching Foundation)
    • eMINTS Certification (University of Missouri)
    • AP World History Certification (Southeast Missouri State University)
    • AP U.S. History Certification (Southeast Missouri State University)
     
     Mr. Malumbia and Dr. Sumner       Dr. Sumner   “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only           
    Dr. Valentine Malumbila and Dr. Dianna Sumner                                    make them think”.....Socrates