Diana Horner, M.S.

A Step Above Specialized Learning Services was founded by Diana, after she realized there was a growing need to support students and their families in their educational journeys at home. Diana has worked in the field of education since 2009.  Beginning as a Resource intern for the Irvine Unified School district, she quickly learned she had a passion for helping all students reach their potential.  From an eager instructional assistant to a dedicated special education teacher/case manager for the past 10 years, Diana has found a deep passion for not just teaching her students, but providing essential supports to families as well.  After COVID hit in 2020 and she was forced to teach her students remotely, she learned that supporting her students virtually not only CAN be done successfully, but it allowed for a stronger parent-student-teacher partnership that wasn't able to be seen before. She understands it can take a village to help a child grow in their educational journey, and she's eager to support families with quality, individualized, and heartfelt services and tools.

Personally,  Diana lives in Murrieta, CA with her husband of 10 years and two young boys.  She recently quit her full-time teaching job in order to devote more time to raising her boys and being present with her family.  A Step Above allows Diana to do continue to do what she loves with the flexibility she didn't have when full-time teaching. She's so grateful for the opportunity to serve the families she is able to work with. It's the best of both worlds. 

Academic Background:

• B.A Psychology and Social Behavior, UC Irvine - 2010

• Education Specialist Credential (Mild/Moderate & Moderate/Severe), CSU Fullerton - 2014

• M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis, National University - 2021

Professional Experience:

• Instructional Assistant, Irvine Unified School District

  • 2010-2012

• Student Teacher, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

  • 2012-2014

• Education Specialist  (Moderate-Severe), Moreno Valley USD

  • 2014-2022

• Education Specialist (Moderate-Severe), Mission Vista Academy

  • 2022-2024