Early childhood educators benefit from the experience and wisdom of Gillian Pratt, a 1979 graduate of the Diamond Oaks Early Childhood Education program.  Gillian created her own non-profit organization in North College Hill, Pratt Educational Services, Inc., which helps early childhood educators become certified in their field. 

As a consultant, Gillian also worked closely with Cincinnati State as they began their Early Childhood program.  She has developed several of their courses for students and teaches at Cincinnati State part time.  She also serves on their advisory board as well as the Early Childhood Education advisory board at Diamond Oaks. 

Gillian credits Great Oaks with her start in the field.  “Mrs. Schnell was awesome!  She was the teacher who made a difference for me!”  With a strong educational background from Diamond under her belt, Gillian returned to school to receive her degree from Mt. Saint Joseph in 1996. 

When I first went to Diamond Oaks, Gillian admits, “I thought it was going to be easy,” but as she learned so much about Early Childhood Education, she “realized I had found my purpose in life.”  Gillian landed her first job in the field through Diamond Oaks and over her 25-year career has done everything from run an infant room at a daycare to being a daycare director.