About Dianne Todaro-Wells
Educator | Researcher | Author
Speaking Up Through Research, Education & Books
For more than three decades, my work across education, publishing, and the private and not-for-profit sectors has focused on supporting children and young people aged 8–16 to develop their voice, confidence and sexual agency.
Through writing children's literature and developing educational resources addressing puberty, sexual literacy, consent and respectful relationships, I have sought to empower girls and boys to understand their developing bodies, recognise their rights, make informed decisions and speak up in their authentic voices.
Equally important has been my commitment to supporting parents through their children's ages and stages of development, bringing evidence-informed knowledge, practical guidance and accessible resources to their fingertips.
At the heart of my work is the belief that children's developing sexual agency is strengthened when the adults who care for them, both at home and at school, have the knowledge, confidence and language to support them.
From Education and Publishing to Research
My professional career began in Catholic primary education in Sydney in 1989. Since then, I have worked across the education, private and not-for-profit sectors, bringing together experience in classroom teaching, educational publishing, children's literature, program development, professional learning and community education.
Throughout my career, I have developed and delivered educational programs, resources and initiatives for children, parents and educators, with a particular focus on sexual literacy, children's developing agency and strengthening the capacity of adults to support young people.
As an author, I have written books and developed educational resources addressing puberty and sexual literacy, supporting conversations about growing up, relationships, consent and personal safety.
In 2018, my commitment to education and advocacy was recognised with the Global Presence Humanitarian Award, presented through Parenting 2.0, an international organisation promoting life skills education, including sexual literacy as an integral part of children's development and wellbeing.
These experiences have shaped my belief that supporting children's developing agency requires knowledgeable, confident adults, both at home and at school.
My Current Research and Professional Direction
I am now in the final stages of completing my Master of Philosophy (Education) at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, bringing four years of postgraduate research towards completion.
My research, Parental Engagement in Sexuality Education: Investigating the Parent Perspective on Collaborative Partnerships in a NSW Catholic Primary School, investigates how parents understand and experience collaboration with schools in Respectful Relationships, Consent and Sexuality Education (RRCSE).
The study specifically examines the parent perspective, identifying factors that support or constrain parental engagement and exploring how schools might strengthen opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
An important finding is the distinction between schools communicating with parents and parents experiencing that communication as an opportunity to collaborate.
The research identified several elements valued by participating parents, including visibility of curriculum content, timely communication, invitation, shared language, practical resources and opportunities for reciprocal engagement.
As I bring my postgraduate studies to completion, my professional focus is turning towards translating research evidence into educational practice.
I am particularly interested in how schools might use evidence from parent experiences to examine their existing approaches to engagement and strengthen opportunities for meaningful parent–school collaboration.
My completed research is expected to become publicly available in 2027, with access to the thesis provided through this website.
Working with Schools and Communities
As I bring my postgraduate research to completion, I am interested in translating the evidence emerging from my study into practical opportunities for schools to strengthen their approaches to parent engagement.
My particular focus is on parent–school collaboration within the Respectful Relationships and Safety focus area of the NSW Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus.
I welcome enquiries from schools, educational organisations and communities interested in exploring how their existing approaches to parent engagement are experienced by families.
Opportunities include research presentations, professional conversations and collaborative discussions informed by the findings of my study.
Initial enquiries and introductory conversations can be arranged via Zoom.
School presentations, consultations and professional engagements are arranged by agreement, with terms and conditions provided upon enquiry.
ENQUIRE ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER
Research, Writing and New Conversations
I am currently developing articles for publication that explore the implications of this research for schools, educators, parents, local communities and educational policymakers.
My particular interests include parental engagement, respectful relationships and sexuality education, children's developing sexual agency, and the relationships connecting home, school and community.
I am especially interested in how evidence emerging from research can inform practical approaches that strengthen collaboration and support the adults responsible for children's learning, development and wellbeing.
My writing will continue to explore the importance of listening to parents, recognising their experiences and creating meaningful opportunities for participation in their children's education.
I hope this work contributes to a broader conversation about how schools, families and communities can work together to support children's developing agency, safety and wellbeing.