Darlene Doley has an art degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. However, she decided early on that she wanted to make a difference in the world and dedicate her professional life to teaching. She has been teaching all grades of children since 1998 when she graduated with a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. 2007 was a big year professionally for Darlene as she became a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. In 2007 she also received a certificate to teach reading from George Mason University and started work as the reading specialist at Vienna Elementary. Her passion for teaching lies in helping children learn to read and write, and share their individual voices. At home, she has 3 grown children, 2 dogs, and a cat. Darlene enjoys hiking, painting and working on art projects in her free time.