Darleen attended grade school and high school in Fairview AB, graduating from Fairview High School in 1973. She went on to the University of Alberta in Edmonton AB 1973-1977, graduating with a Bachelor of Education Degree with a Physical Science Major.
Darlene had planned to be a dentist, but changed to education after two years of university. She began her teaching career at Harry Colling High School at Hinton AB in 1977.