Personal & Professional Testimonials
***The testimonials below are posted with the author's permission.
Leigh Graves Wolf, @gravesle, PhD MAET Program Director
It was a pleasure to serve as Mary's academic advisor during her time in the MAET program. Mary took advantage of every opportunity afforded by not only the MAET program curriculum, but by other opportunities available to connect with the Ed Tech community on campus at MSU. I was constantly impressed with Mary's work and commitment to deeply integrating and evaluating the educational technology theories and tools explored during the program. I was so excited when Mary invited me to her classroom and I was able to see her and her students in action. Though Mary is at the end of her MAET journey, I know we will continue to stay in touch and truly appreciate her collegiality, enthusiasm and professionalism.
Erin Klein, 2nd Grade Teacher at Cranbrook, Award-winning Blogger at Kleinspiration.com
My relationship with Mary goes back nearly a decade. I first met Mary when we were co-workers together at Outback Steakhouse completing our teaching degrees at Spring Arbor University. I'm fortunate to have had such a talented and inspirational friend and mentor throughout the years.
I use to drive from Dundee, MI to visit Mary's classroom in East Lansing just to get a glimpse of what she was doing with her students. Mary and I use to chat on the phone for hours about lesson plan ideas, management styles, and meaningful ways to integrate technology. Those phone conversations always resulted in a meeting face to face. Sometimes we would exchange ideas over dinner while other times I would bring a friend along to watch Mary teach. She's a masterful educator in the classroom. Seeing the way that Mary seamlessly integrated technology inspired me to expand my knowledge in technology integration for my own learners. There was always such purpose with her methods, and her lessons had each learner thoroughly engaged in the content. I wanted this for my own classroom.
Mary was gracious in exchanging ideas. Teaching was not something Mary did... it was who she was. I'm thankful for the time she invested in me so that my practice could grow and my students could benefit from her creativity. Now, Mary and I still collaborate though meeting up at conferences, Skyping, and sharing ideas through social sites such as Twitter and Pinterest.
Mary's talents reach far beyond the walls of her own elementary students. She is the type of teacher I hope for my own son or daughter to have each year.
I use to drive from Dundee, MI to visit Mary's classroom in East Lansing just to get a glimpse of what she was doing with her students. Mary and I use to chat on the phone for hours about lesson plan ideas, management styles, and meaningful ways to integrate technology. Those phone conversations always resulted in a meeting face to face. Sometimes we would exchange ideas over dinner while other times I would bring a friend along to watch Mary teach. She's a masterful educator in the classroom. Seeing the way that Mary seamlessly integrated technology inspired me to expand my knowledge in technology integration for my own learners. There was always such purpose with her methods, and her lessons had each learner thoroughly engaged in the content. I wanted this for my own classroom.
Mary was gracious in exchanging ideas. Teaching was not something Mary did... it was who she was. I'm thankful for the time she invested in me so that my practice could grow and my students could benefit from her creativity. Now, Mary and I still collaborate though meeting up at conferences, Skyping, and sharing ideas through social sites such as Twitter and Pinterest.
Mary's talents reach far beyond the walls of her own elementary students. She is the type of teacher I hope for my own son or daughter to have each year.
Matthew Phillips, M.A., CC-SLP, Special Educator, MSU Instructor
Heidi Phillips, M.S.W., Social Worker, RCSA President-Elect
Sophie & Anna's Parents
Our daughter, Sophie, was in Mary’s fourth-grade classroom this year – a year she has completely loved. First and foremost, Sophie felt happy, confident, safe, and supported all year, which is our number one priority as parents. We have heard so much about girls being socialized away from math, science, and technology during adolescence, so it was especially wonderful to see Sophie benefit from Mary’s expertise and personal example in regard to these subjects. Sophie now feels like math is one of her personal strengths, and she navigates technology in an informed, responsible way that reflects Mary’s real-life instruction in its value and potential risks. In addition to Mary’s attention to my daughter’s academic growth, I have also appreciated the way Mary cared for Sophie on a personal basis. She encouraged her do try new things and challenged her to sometimes take the lead among her peers. Sophie gets only one shot at being a ten year old in fourth grade… we are so thankful it was with Mary Wever.
Rachelle Galang, Intern with Mary Wever 2012-2013, Technology Teacher at Kamehameha Schools
I had the pleasure of doing my student teaching with Mary. She is a phenomenal role model and fantastic mentor teacher. I highly recommend others to observe her teach and to collaborate with her. Working with Mary has taught me so much and I have learned numerous ways to incorporate technology into my classroom. Her experience, knowledge, and use of technology is profound. Everything Mary brings to the table is realistic, doable, and valuable. I am so fortunate to have the relationship I do with her. She will always be one of my "go to's" whenever I have questions or need advice. I feel more than ready to have a classroom of my own, thanks to her preparation. Mary is an incredible mentor and friend.
Amanda Baumann, Intern Field Instructor at MSU, Doctoral Student in the MSU College of Education
I have the pleasure of spending several hours per month in Mary Wever’s classroom while observing the full-year teaching interns she mentors. Mary’s instruction distinguishes itself by its extensive differentiation, by her students’ sense of purpose, and by Mary’s seamless incorporation of instructional technologies—but none of these points of teaching excellence convey the tone of well-run community that characterizes her room. Mary constantly rethinks and refines her instructional practices and systems, and she shares this with her considerable online professional following. Mary’s students are busy, thoughtful, and productive; her interns grow into excellent novice teachers. She is truly a master teacher.
Angie Lynch, 3rd Grade Teacher at Red Cedar Elementary
Mary Wever has been my co-worker extraordinaire for five years. In that time, we have shared countless ideas about books, teaching, parenting, and real life. Mary steered me away from using Comic Sans in my printed classroom newsletter--then showed me how easy it is to make a Weebly page. Mary tells me about new ideas and suggests feasible ways to make them work in the classroom. We try techniques, brainstorm ways to make things better, and modify practices within a matter of hours. Mary and I can call or text each other with questions that begin, "What do you think? Am I crazy?" and know that we are getting an honest answer. Mary Wever has made teaching fun, and I hope that we get a chance to keep each other sane for many years!
Stacy Turke, OTR/L, Ingham Intermediate School District
I have worked with Mary for several years in my capacity as the Occupational Therapist who provides support to her elementary school. We have worked together to provide her students with self-regulation strategies, which help them evaluate and modify their own ability to attend and focus during lessons and school activities. This school year, Mary has allowed interested students to bring in yoga balls as alternatives to chairs. This evidence-based strategy helps kids stay focused and alert, while providing optimal seating posture for most table tasks including writing, keyboarding, etc. We have seen a significant increase in her students' abilities to stay focused and get work done with minimal distraction.
While working on these skills, Mary also introduced me to the joys of using Twitter to connect with PD that would otherwise have been out of reach. There is no way for me to quantify the value this resource has provided to my OT practice and the students/parents/teachers with which I work!
While working on these skills, Mary also introduced me to the joys of using Twitter to connect with PD that would otherwise have been out of reach. There is no way for me to quantify the value this resource has provided to my OT practice and the students/parents/teachers with which I work!
Deedee Stasiak, Intern with Mary Wever 2013-2014, 1st Grade Teacher at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools
I feel so incredibly lucky to say that I had the opportunity to learn from and work with Mary for an entire year in her 4th grade classroom. Through Michigan State’s Education program, I was placed in her classroom for my internship and she went above and beyond to make sure my experience was worth it. She is the teacher you want your child to have. Her ability to seamlessly integrate real world experiences and technology into her teaching is something you do not see in the average classroom. She is consistently looking for new ways to better her teaching practice, allowing her to make learning exciting and engaging for her students. Not only is Mary an amazing teacher, she is an amazing person. I know I can go to Mary for anything at anytime and she will be willing to offer advice, a laugh or a hug. She is my friend-for-life and role model. Thank you, Mary, for everything!
Jeff Gerlach, Instructional Designer, Blended Learning Coach, MyBlend, Michigan Virtual University
I met Mary like any good educator would. I discovered her class website, followed her on Twitter and watched her work from afar until I actually connected with her months later. She was presenting her flipped classroom model as part of a small seminar with the MSU College of Ed. Might sound a bit stalkerish (or a lot) but I like that her work established my personal connection with her. Even in the online format, her very essence oozes through the teaching and learning strategies she carefully crafts.
Part of what I do professionally, is highlight educators doing great things in the field of educational technology; specifically in terms of designs for blended learning. Since meeting, Mary has allowed my colleagues and I to profile her classroom in blog and video form. These resources have useful to illustrate the power of blended strategies and inspire other educators to create their own blended environments.
Mary recognizes the significance of open collaboration with other educators and has been able to take on a leadership role within the Michigan educational community. She leads from the front lines, bringing practicality to the often ambiguous dialog surrounding blended learning. She simply seeks to help others grow and has an insatiable appetite to learn from others.
Perhaps most refreshing is how she champions the vital role of the teacher in blended learning environments. She debunks the myth that educational technology will replace teachers. She does this in part, by designing lessons that allow greater personalized learning for students. While experimentation is a hallmark of all innovators, she has a clear teaching and learning design focus. Her technology use is informed by the kind of thinking she wants to invoke from learners. She sees technology as a tool for differentiation and a feedback medium that allows her to better identify student’s learning gaps to inform targeted support.
Simply put, Mary uses everything at her disposal to enhance teaching and learning opportunities. I’m proud to fight alongside her in these endeavours and consider myself lucky to call her a friend.
Part of what I do professionally, is highlight educators doing great things in the field of educational technology; specifically in terms of designs for blended learning. Since meeting, Mary has allowed my colleagues and I to profile her classroom in blog and video form. These resources have useful to illustrate the power of blended strategies and inspire other educators to create their own blended environments.
Mary recognizes the significance of open collaboration with other educators and has been able to take on a leadership role within the Michigan educational community. She leads from the front lines, bringing practicality to the often ambiguous dialog surrounding blended learning. She simply seeks to help others grow and has an insatiable appetite to learn from others.
Perhaps most refreshing is how she champions the vital role of the teacher in blended learning environments. She debunks the myth that educational technology will replace teachers. She does this in part, by designing lessons that allow greater personalized learning for students. While experimentation is a hallmark of all innovators, she has a clear teaching and learning design focus. Her technology use is informed by the kind of thinking she wants to invoke from learners. She sees technology as a tool for differentiation and a feedback medium that allows her to better identify student’s learning gaps to inform targeted support.
Simply put, Mary uses everything at her disposal to enhance teaching and learning opportunities. I’m proud to fight alongside her in these endeavours and consider myself lucky to call her a friend.
Joshua Rosenberg, @jrosenberg6432
CEP 807/ED 870 instructor and doctoral student in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology
I was fortunate to be an instructor for Mary for her final course - the Capstone portfolio - in the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at MSU. This was a good experience for me as an instructor. First, Mary has an eye for design and the instructional team added Mary's website (http://mrswever.weebly.com) to a collection of "Exemplary Portfolios" (specifically for the Future as a Learner essay and also for general design) for future Capstone students. Second, Mary helped make her house (four students who work closely together throughout the semester) cohesive through being thoughtful and detailed-oriented in her feedback. Finally, I was able to interact with Mary face-to-face through a digital learning day event at Michigan State University, and through Twitter (@weverworld). Through these interactions I've come to know a talented, thoughtful, and innovative educator and person with whom I'd be fortunate to work with in the future.
Melissa Sigh, Music Teacher at Red Cedar Elementary
Our school would not be the same without Mary Wever! Every teacher in our building knows to turn to Mary for advice and assistance with educational technology. She is always willing to help and collaborate with her colleagues, makes the time to do so, and offers individualized support that can make a tangible difference in our classrooms.
Mary is a talented educator, dedicated to her students and her profession. Mary creatively utilizes technology to peak her students’ interests and highlight their accomplishments. She is thoughtful and organized in her approach to instruction and classroom management. As a result, students thrive in Mary’s classroom. They are leaders in our school: creative, eager to learn, and protective of a positive school culture.
It has been a pleasure to work with Mary over the past four years. I hope we will continue to be colleagues for many years to come. She is a tremendous resource and valued friend!
Mary is a talented educator, dedicated to her students and her profession. Mary creatively utilizes technology to peak her students’ interests and highlight their accomplishments. She is thoughtful and organized in her approach to instruction and classroom management. As a result, students thrive in Mary’s classroom. They are leaders in our school: creative, eager to learn, and protective of a positive school culture.
It has been a pleasure to work with Mary over the past four years. I hope we will continue to be colleagues for many years to come. She is a tremendous resource and valued friend!
Liesel Carlson, RCSA President, Lily & Cole's Mom
Mary seamlessly integrates appropriate technology into her every day lessons from use of the SMART Board, Google Docs, and student websites to internet safety and the students' status boards. She updates her website regularly to keep parents current with curriculum and classroom happenings. Mary has gone beyond her duties as a classroom teacher and helped the PTA create its online school directory and March is Reading Month slideshow using Capzles. Mary is the Educational Technology go to person for Red Cedar School- Thank you Mary!!
Mary Wilkinson, B.S., M.A., Literacy Teacher at Pattengill Academy, RCWP Fellow 2012
Who can be as dedicated to her education, her students, her family, and friends as much as Mary Wever. I met Mary at our RCWP interview in 2012. She was vivacious, excited, friendly, and great with child! Her enthusiasm was contagious. I was awestruck. My first meeting with her was just the beginning. We were both blessed by being accepted into the program. The next time I saw her she had a new baby boy, adding to her group of adorable children. As I had the opportunity to work with her, I realized her span and breadth of knowledge in technology boggled my mind. The amazing thing about this was that she freely tutored and encouraged any who were open to learning new technology. I tried my first webpage! It was a challenge but Mary was certainly my cheerleader! I learned so much that summer and truly can attribute a lot of it to her. Thanks Mary, you hold a special place in my heart.
Liz Owens Boltz, @lizowensboltz, MAET Program Coordinator, Ph.D. Candidate in Ed Psychology & Ed Technology at MSU
It has been my pleasure to work with Mary Wever through the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University. Mary and I started working together in 2015 as co-instructors for the summer hybrid program, which incorporated both face-to-face and online graduate-level learning experiences. I immediately noticed Mary’s passion for teaching, and her ability to energize and engage students in the classroom. Since then, Mary has been my colleague as the Director of Graduate Certificate Programs for MAET, where her enthusiasm for connecting and supporting both teachers and students continues to shine. Mary excels as a people person, ideator, and a connector — traits that are evident in the lasting impact she has made on the lives of countless students!
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Red Cedar Elementary School Family
Our daughter spent her fourth grade year in Mary Wever’s classroom. Unbeknownst to us, Mary was the perfect fit for our daughter who struggled with shyness that was often severe enough to cause physical symptoms. At the start of fourth grade, our daughter was apprehensive to participate in classroom dialogue and was generally uncomfortable socializing in large groups, or sharing her ideas in her writing. Mary brought up her own childhood experiences with timidity in order to help our daughter voice her thoughts in the classroom and have the courage to write them on paper. Mary often gave our daughter a strong role in group activities to help her develop her social skills. By mid-year, our daughter was able to deliver announcements to the entire student body. We are tremendously thankful to Mary for helping our daughter come out of her shell. Mary’s expertise in classroom technology also fostered the development of creative expression as our daughter designed her own website and used Google documents to work collaboratively with peers. We are impressed with our daughter’s development this school year and hope that she can continue to grow in the ensuing years – if only such a supportive classroom environment could follow her. In the meantime, as her parents, we are actively soliciting our daughter’s newly acquired technological aptitude. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could design websites too? Perhaps not in our daughter’s opinion.