I will always remember the day when I met Dianne Goberis. I was a scared mom trying to advocate for my youngest daughter, Ally, who was born with Microtia and hearing loss (due to Aural Atresia). I was looking for a preschool program that would provide my daughter with the help she needed as a child who was hard of hearing. To my surprise, our early intervention speech therapist informed me of a couple of options nearby, one including the program that Dianne managed at Mountain View Elementary School. One day, Ally’s speech therapist scheduled a visit in Dianne’s classroom for us to observe in. When I met Dianne, she was so kind…taking time to speak with me, explaining about her preschool classroom and program for children who were D/HH. Her classroom was bright and cheery. As I watched Dianne’s students learning and carrying on, one little girl walked into the classroom a few moments later. Dianne introduced me to this little girl and said “this is Illi.” Dianne explained that Illi just had her picture taken for her birthday and for the library birthday book program. Here was this sweet little four year old kindly saying “hi” while signing her name at the same time.
As I left Dianne’s classroom that day, I couldn’t help but feel emotional. You see, Illi had Microtia and Atresia just like my daughter! I was so relieved and happy to see a little girl who was just a little older than my daughter and who was so confident and happy. My mind fast forwarded years in advance imagining my daughter being just as confident and carrying on just like Illi. I went home and cried tears of happiness. Not only did I think Dianne’s preschool classroom was amazing, but I could not believe the odds of finding another child in this classroom who was just like my Ally. I had been told that Dianne’s program was highly sought after as one of the top programs within the school district that offered amazing D/HH services because Dianne was the best. I was told that other teachers even referred to her as “Goberis” because she was in the trenches and did an amazing job with results. I also learned that many families would relocate from other states just to move into the very neighborhood where Dianne Goberis teaches so their children who are D/HH could attend Mountain View Elementary School and receive the help they needed from Dianne. I quickly realized how blessed my family was after having lived in our neighborhood for the past 12 years never knowing that one day I would have a child that would be born with hearing loss and be able to benefit from a top school just down the road from our home.
As Ally transitioned from her IFSP to her IEP, it was time to inquire about an opening in Dianne’s classroom. Now, Ally “only” had unilateral hearing loss as some would say, but she was experiencing speech delays along with some additional delays at the time. The school that Dianne taught at was also not our home school. So, I was worried that Ally would not qualify for Dianne’s program. However, Ally’s early intervention team reached out to Dianne to schedule a visit. I was so impressed that Dianne took the time to come to my home to observe Ally during this visit and determine if she should be placed in her classroom. Thankfully, Dianne believed that Ally would benefit more in her classroom where she could receive the extra help she needed in addition to receiving helpful services for her hearing loss and we lived within the school district. This was just the beginning of something far more amazing than I would have ever imagined and how one teacher and her program would touch my family’s heart.
During the three years that Ally spent in Dianne’s preschool classroom, I watched my little girl grow and shine. Dianne was amazing! She always took the time to listen to my concerns when I was worried about Ally and she would gently offer helpful suggestions or thoughts that would help guide me on how to help Ally. Each day, Dianne’s classroom was full of new adventure and excitement for my daughter and her peers. When picking up Ally from school, I would often witness Dianne singing fun songs like “five little speckled frogs” with the kids and playing fun games with them. Her class celebrated parties together and the kids made fun things with food items like sandwich school buses with Oreos for wheels. The kids learned about sensory and touch with all kinds of things to feel with their hands, from flour dough to beans in a bin and shaving cream. One of Ally’s favorite adventures in Dianne’s class was camping week (when a tent and sleeping bags were set up in front of the main entrance of the school). Camping week also came with crock pots of chili and baked beans with corn bread to help celebrate the wild west with the kids dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls. Dianne and her staff worked hard to organize preschool performances for families each year – from a rodeo
performance with the kids dressed up wearing cowboy hats to a circus performance taking place under the big top (the parachute), with all of the kids being vocal and signing, together. They were such a joy to watch! As Ally got older, she was included in even more fun activities and programs that Dianne was very much behind creating including D/HH Track and Field Day, visiting Signing Santa, signing choir as a “little” and taking field trips to the Arvada Arts Center to see performances where sign was present and available.
Dianne always made sure her students had the best. One year, I remember a local Mexican restaurant raised and donated $50,000 for Dianne’s program! I know Dianne knew exactly how she wanted to apply those funds for the kids because I remember her excitement for the new interactive itouch screen she was able to get for the kids to help them learn more. My daughter loved that itouch screen! This was just one of the helpful tools Dianne was able to obtain for the classroom. During the years Ally was in Dianne’s classroom, a few more children with Microtia and Atresia were placed in Dianne’s class which was amazing in itself. In fact, there were nearly ten children in the school at one time who were born with Microtia and Atresia. When I would tell people about the school that Ally goes to, I would always talk about how amazing Dianne was and about all of the wonderful programs she had created to help children who have hearing loss. I would often say that my family was blessed and that we live in our own bubble.
While most of the days for Ally and her classmates were happy and positive, I noticed how other days were probably not always fun days and smiles for Dianne and her staff. I quickly realized the amount of patients and commitment that Dianne and her staff showed while working with and helping all of the children in her classroom on so many different levels. There were days where Dianne spent time trying to console crying and screaming students during meltdowns to finding better ways to connect with the children who experienced fears in the classroom, helping them to cope and overcome those fears. There were days of having to help clean up bathroom accidents from some of the kids too and still Dianne would manage to go on with a smile. Dianne’s love for children was so genuine. Dianne helped educate so many children during her 30 years of teaching. She helped children with special needs in addition to those with hearing loss during her career at Mountain View Elementary school. I truly believe Dianne loved all of these children because I know she loved my Ally. Dianne made sure her students were their happiest in her classroom. She provided them with every opportunity to learn and how to be themselves. Dianne helped these children, including my Ally, realize that they can do anything in life as individuals who are D/HH.
Dianne helped me realize that there are truly amazing teachers in our world. Some that will surprise you with what they can do to help our children thrive. Dianne was one of these amazing teachers! Since getting to know Dianne, I now have a deep respect for teachers of the D/HH. I also realize that Dianne was one of the angels we had here on earth, one who went above and beyond to help others. There is no doubt in my mind that Dianne had a vision when she started teaching and she took that vision to the highest level from helping create so many these programs that Mountain View Elementary School has now because of her. I am grateful for my daughter to have been given the opportunity to learn sign while at school and to be provided the help she needs through amazing programs. I can only imagine how many policies and procedures Dianne also helped implement to help make things better for students over the years. Dianne has helped advocate for so many children and their families in IEPs and 504 Plan meetings in addition to helping teach families how to help advocate for their children on their own. Dianne was an inspiration and a leader who helped pave the way for D/HH teachers. So many men and women, 
some even past students, have gone on to become teachers of the D/HH and focus on special education because of Dianne being such an amazing role model. Dianne was also recognized for many awards for her leadership and for the difference she made in the D/HH community. With Dianne being such an amazing advocate for so many families over the years, I can only imagine what an amazing advocate she was for her own children and family. Dianne touched many hearts at school, through many community organizations, and with her work at Marion Downs. Dianne’s legacy will live on through all of the amazing teachers, staff, and friends that she knew and worked with for decades to come. Maybe someday, an award for the school district will be created in Dianne’s name for outstanding D/HH teacher of the year. Dianne was such an amazing inspiration and such a dedicated individual to helping others.
This is just one of the many stories that I am sure has been shared about Dianne and about how many hearts she touched of so many families over the years. Thank you for all that you did to help our children, including my Ally, over all these years. And, thank you for all of the amazing teachers that you leave behind who continue to share your inspiration at Mountain View. Ally and I know we are in excellent hands thanks to you, Dianne!
While you may be gone, you will never be forgotten.
We will miss you, Dianne!
– Melissa and Ally Tumblin and Family
Dianne passed away on January 16th, 2019, at the age of 59, peacefully with her family by her side after losing her fight to
pancreatic cancer. On January 26th, Dianne’s family, friends, students, and co-workers joined Dianne at a beautiful service honoring her life, traveling from near and far. It was said many times that Dianne lived a full and happy life and that her smile was contagious and was one that would light up a room. Dianne was one of the kindest people alive. Dianne was loved by so many who knew her in life. Our hearts go out to Dianne’s family for this terrible loss. Thank you for sharing your Dianne with all of us. Some of Dianne’s former students, parents of students, current and retired teachers, interpreters, and a retired principal came together to sign a song to honor our beloved Dianne. Thank you to Dianne’s friend and co-worker, Jenna Harris, for organizing this tribute to our Dianne.
Here is the link to the video, “Heaven was needing a hero,” by Jo Dee Messina
Here are some memories of Dianne that made my family smile:
About Melissa Tumblin
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