Hi! I’m Dr. Mary! I have fun ways to help PreK–3rd graders learn!

Mary E.

ADHD

Experience Supporting Students with ADHD and Behavioral Needs. I hold certifications in Behavior Disorders and Social and Emotional Disorders, and I earned National Board Certification in Exceptional Needs/Early Childhood through Young Adult (2011–2021). My certification equipped me to work with students across a range of learning and behavioral differences, including those with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Over eight years, I taught in inclusive and specialized settings where the majority of my students were significantly challenged with ADD/ADHD w/attention and executive functioning needs. These included: • Impulsive behavior • Inattention and distractibility • Poor time management • Mood swings and irritability • Low frustration tolerance • Difficulty coping in stressful situations My classroom approach emphasized structure, consistency, emotional regulation, and individualized supports. Teaching Experience: • PreK Inclusion – Prince Edward County Elementary (Farmville, VA) 2 years • Kindergarten Inclusion – Kiptopeke Elementary (Cape Charles, VA) 2 years • Grade 7 – Conestoga Valley Middle School (PA) 2 years In these roles, I collaborated with general education teachers, specialists, and families to ensure students with ADHD and behavioral challenges received targeted interventions, supports, and instruction aligned with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I have Autism and Cross-Categorical Experience Cross-Categorical Teacher Conestoga Valley Middle School (PA) I taught an Illinois-licensed BD/SED classroom (late 1990s) that served students with autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances before autism held its own certification category. Special Education Teacher,PreK–5 Webster Elementary School (IL) I taught students with autism in a cross-categorical setting under Behavior Disorders/Social-Emotional Disabilities licensure. I delivered differentiated academic and social-skills instruction. Resource / Support Teacher, PreK Prince Edward Elementary School (VA) I provided 1-to-1 learning support for numerous children on the autism spectrum, collaborating with general-education staff to adapt early-literacy and play-based curricula. Principal – Saltsburg Elementary School (PA) I advocated for and established a specialized program for a severely autistic student, coordinating in-house specialists and outside agencies. I routinely observed and mentored preK-6 teachers to ensure evidence-based practices and measurable growth for all students on the needing specialized support. Historical Certification Background Because autism did not yet stand alone as a certification in the late 1990s, students on the spectrum were served under Behavior Disorders (BD) and Social & Emotional Disorders (SED) credentials.

Dyslexia

Supporting Students with Dyslexia I am a creative, patient, and positive educator dedicated to helping students with dyslexia succeed. Over the years, I have taught numerous students with dyslexia, equipping them with effective learning strategies to improve their reading skills and overall confidence. While teaching in a cross-categorical special education classroom at Conestoga Valley Middle School in Pennsylvania, I worked with students who were critically below (by several grade levels) in reading. I focused on teaching them how to break down reading passages and assignments into ordered, smaller steps—helping them process and retain information more effectively. I helped them gain strategies to attack the written word and gain comprehension. I also incorporated engaging, “fun” experiences, including age-appropriate board games and activities designed specifically for them, learners with dyslexia. For those students reading several grade levels below, I introduced targeted a reading program that provided the intensive support they needed to grow. They worked through the lessons with me, and amazingly, they began to improve! To address common learning challenges, I used strategies like: • Supporting left/right orientation • Teaching chunking for decoding and comprehension • Using color-coded sleeves to reduce visual distractions • Incorporating distraction slides when reading to help minimize visual overload during reading As one of Pennsylvania’s first state-appointed Instructional Support Teachers (IST) at Saltsburg Elementary, I provided direct, in-classroom support to teachers. Dyslexia was often the primary exceptionality leading to either push-in or pull-out services, and I worked hands-on to help teachers implement practical, individualized approaches. With this deep background, I bring both experience and insight into supporting children with dyslexia—where they are and help them move forward with confidence.

Elementary (K-6th)

I bring a strong and well-rounded foundation for teaching K–6 students, built through years of experience in both general and special education. In the concluding six years of my teaching career, I taught Grade 7 inclusion, followed by two years of kindergarten at Kiptopeke Elementary in Cape Charles, VA. I then relocated near Prince Edward Elementary in Farmville, VA, where I taught PreK for two years. After retiring from the classroom, I continued to support education as a consultant for the Virginia Department of Education, focusing on teacher development and instructional improvement. Earlier in my career, I served as a special education teacher in both inclusion and self-contained settings, working with students from PreK through middle school at Glen Carbon Elementary (IL), Webster Elementary (IL), and Conestoga Valley Middle School (PA). During my time as an educator, I earned both a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Pennsylvania, further strengthening my expertise in curriculum, instruction, and educational leadership. This broad experience has equipped me to support a wide range of learners, differentiate instruction effectively, and help all students—from those needing additional support to those working on or above grade level—thrive in PreK through Grade 3 classrooms.

Phonics

I am well-versed in the reading process and the development of pre-reading skills. After teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten in Virginia at the end of my active teaching career, I became a consultant for the Virginia Department of Education’s Reading Initiative, where I supported teachers in building effective instructional practices and programs to improve students’ reading success.

Reading

I have strong experience with working with students with dyslexia. I can share my resume on request.

Special Needs

Special Needs I have worked with children with special needs throughout my career. I was either supporting them directly in the classroom—especially Pre-K through Grade 7 students—or assisting and mentoring teachers to support them more effectively. I worked primarily with special needs students at the start of my career at Webster Elementary and Conestoga Valley Middle School in Pennsylvania. Later, I created and supported special education programs in my roles as an administrator—Principal at Saltsburg and Blairsville Schools, and Assistant Superintendent at West York Area School District, all in Pennsylvania. I offered numerous staff development programs to improve instruction for student success and enhance the academic standing of the schools. I also served as one of Pennsylvania’s first state-appointed Instructional Support Teachers (IST) at Saltsburg Elementary, where I provided “push-in” classroom support to help teachers meet the needs of students with disabilities. As both principal and assistant superintendent, I worked directly with special education teachers—modeling lessons, observing instruction, and providing support and coaching. I attended countless IEP meetings and mediations, advocating for parents and helping them navigate their children’s rights. Throughout my career, I worked directly with students across all exceptionalities: autism, dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, emotional disturbance (SED), physical disabilities, and students performing several grade levels below in reading and math. It was both a pleasure and a challenge to serve these students and help them succeed.