Obituary of Diane Theresa Fiello

Diane Theresa Fiello was born in Santa Monica, California on September 17, 1950 to

Thomas David Fiello and Doris O’Brien Fiello.  At the time, Thomas was working two jobs and attending college at Loyola University, from which he graduated that same year.

Diane received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University. When her son Robby started school, Diane went to work, first as a substitute teacher and later as a full-time teacher.  She was loved by her students and well-respected by her colleagues, earning Teacher of the Year honors.  After teaching for several years, Diane entered into school administration, as a principal in the Barstow Unified School District in Southern California.  Finding success as an administrator, she became principal of El Rincon Elementary School in the Culver City Unified School District, leading that school to “California Distinguished School” status.

Diane left school site administration to become Assistant Superintendent of Student Services in Culver City, a role in which she led administrators and teachers to focus on student achievement. Her approach was always data-driven, but her motivation toward fellow educators was built on honesty, trust and kindness. One of her mentors recently wrote of Diane, “Every time I think back on my career as an educator, I refer to Diane as the person who made me a better teacher and also a better administrator.” While working in Culver City, Diane attained a master’s degree in School Management and Administration and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Pepperdine University.

After many successful years working in Culver City, Diane opted to join the Centinela Valley Union High School District, as Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.  She was excited to take this role, because she went to high school in that school system and wanted to return to improve student learning.  Following her work in Centinela Valley, Diane became Vice President of the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, working there until she retired in 2013.

Although highly successful in her career, Diane was most proud of raising two compassionate, self-reliant children. She is survived by her daughter, Theresa, her son, Robby, her daughter-in-law, Jamie, and her granddaughter, Dottie. She is also survived by her three loving sisters, one brother, two brothers-in-law, with whom she had close relationships, and many nieces and nephews.