Human Development

Dreama (dee) love, M.A., CFLE

Dee Love brings over 30 years experience working with children and youth in various positions including direct service as an early childhood and elementary teacher, as well as an administrator and manager of education programs.

Dee began her position as Human Development Specialist with Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service in March of 2001. In this position, Dee facilitates partnerships between research faculty and Indiana agencies, organizations, and individuals based on the faculty member's research interest and local and state needs. As a member of the Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Dee focuses on initiatives related to human growth and development throughout the lifespan. As an Extension Specialist, she supports Extension educators in all 92 Indiana counties, and especially the 25 Extension educators specialized in human development, by providing linkages to current research, educational resources, and statewide organizations. Dee also connects faculty members with Purdue Extension educational services to coordinate curriculum development, in-service training, statewide educational outreach, and evaluation of programs.

Prior to joining Extension, Dee served as the founding Executive Director of the Indiana Professional Development System for Educators of Young Children (IPDS). At IPDS she was responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the system's programs and services encouraging on-going professional development and education for all child care providers in Indiana.

Previous work experiences include serving as the Education Program Manager for the National Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) in Chicago, Illinois. From 1994 to 1998 she created and directed national projects and initiatives of the Education Commission of the National PTA with a focus on parent involvement and education. Prior to working with PTA, Dee served as the Director of Child and Family Resources for Health Promotion Network, Inc. creating educational programs and resources for children and families from a health risk-management perspective. From 1978 to 1992, she served in various teaching and administrative positions in the education field.

Dee holds a B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and a M.A. degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois. She holds teacher certification in both Elementary and Early Childhood Education.