Tanya has been a teacher since age 13 when she was appointed by Berkeley Recreation and Parks as their Dance Coordinator for Grove Recreation Center in Berkeley California.
Tanya went on to receive her A.A. degree from Merritt Community college, her B.A. degree from U.C.L.A. in 1970 and her secondary teacher's credential in 1971. She received her M.A. from Peabody Vanderbilt in 1972. She was head of the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1972 – 1975 and developed a dance company that is still functioning today, 31 years later in Richmond Virginia.
She has taught English, Social Studies, Typing, Physical Education, Dance, History, Chemistry and Character Education in various school districts throughout California at the secondary level. In 1990 she received her Administrative credential from Cal State Hayward and was the Dean at Bret Harte Junior High, Castlemont High and Garfield Elementary. She was also the Vice Principal at Castlemont High School.
A child advocate for thirty-six years, Ms. Dennis received the NAACP Community Service Award (1994) and the National Jefferson Humanitarian Award (1984). Her work in inner-city schools has brought her recognition by the Civil Rights Commission and the Superintendent of Oakland schools for her programs which resulted in most improved attendance for students considered at-risk and the low suspension rate of African-American males. Tanya received certification in 1996 in Oxford England for the Living Values Educational Program. Living Values, an Educational Program is the results of a partnership among global educators in conjunction with the National Commission of UNICEF (Spain), representatives from the Education Cluster of UNICEF (New York), and the Brahma Kumaris. Living Values is a comprehensive curriculum endorsed by The United Nations and has won the Teacher’s award for most outstanding character education curriculum.
Tanya has taught "Living Values, an Educational Program" at Longfellow and Willard Middle Schools in Berkeley California. She was also the educational director for Athletes United for Peace, a nonprofit organization and NGO for the United Nations.
Tanya is Head of the Education Board for YouthHealth USA she leads the way with her experience from being the Lead Coordinator for Global Village Consulting. Global Village Consulting a non-profit (501(3)(c) is dedicated to cultivating youth to their fullest potential and preparing them for learning experiences through values based learning and activities. Youth Health USA is a values based organization that brings therapeutic story telling and Values curriculum to children and youth from ages three to young adults(teens) with its Gem stones Program and from young Adults to adults and families with its Gem of the first water Program, and is proud to introduce to the United States the superlative, "Gem of the First Waters, a fable for our time".
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