Our Founder

Diann Grimm, Founder and Executive Director
Diann has been an advocate for quality education since 1977 when she completed her graduate degree and worked as a  speech-language pathologist on a reservation in Montana. In 1985, she received a degree in Special Education with a focus on children who struggle with language and learning disabilities. Diann has worked in a variety of educational settings providing assessments and individualized intervention with children of all ages. In her tenure at the California Department of Education, Diann trained thousands of educators and parents on special education topics. She co-authored two social-emotional learning programs for children ages 3-5 & 6-12. 

Diann has a Master of Arts from the University of Maine in Speech-Language Pathology and an Educational Specialist degree in Special Education from the University of Arizona. She also has a Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development Certificate from the University of California-Berkeley.

Having traveled to many parts of the globe as a volunteer and adventurer, Diann understands the needs for education worldwide. Diann shared many of those trips with her husband, PiSL Board Chairman, Dan Schwab. 

Diann's vision for Partners in Sustainable Learning is a culmination of all her years as an educator and international volunteer. She sees PiSL as her gift to teachers and young children around the world.

Teacher graduation ceremony in Okhaldhunga, Nepal

Taluwa teacher potluck in Okhaldhunga, Nepal