About the Instructor – Mary Peterson

Uniquely Qualified Instructor

Mary Peterson is an enthusiastic, primary‑level teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience and is known for her highly motivating ideas and the practicality of her presentations. She is an experienced teacher trainer, mentor teacher and adjunct professor.

Mary is the author of two professional books from Scholastic: Extra Practice Math Centers: Addition, Subtraction and More (2007)and Extra Practice Math Centers: Multiplication, Division and More (2007). She is also the author of ADVANCED GUIDED READING STRATEGIES: New Ideas to Take Your Guided Reading Instruction to Another Level (Grades 1‑3), the extensive resource handbook each participant will receive at the seminar.

Mary presents seminars that are fast‑paced, inspiring, and above all, practical. You will leave this seminar with a wealth of ideas, strategies and activities you can use immediately in your classroom.

What Your Colleagues Say About Your Presenter

“Well‑prepared presentation full of valuable, practical ideas for the classroom!”
– Diana Bates, 2nd Grade Teacher

“Many wonderful ideas were presented in an easy‑to‑follow, well‑paced delivery! Mary’s content is research based on the latest findings.”
– Susan Wright, 1st Grade Teacher

“This seminar provided a wonderful opportunity to not only learn about effective teaching tools, but also to create hands‑on manipulatives to take back and apply in the classroom.”
– Nicole Sorensen, 3rd Grade Teacher

“Mary is a gem! Teachers love presenters who really know kids – and Mary does. Practical ideas that I can use immediately!”
– Cindy Matthews, Reading Specialist

“This seminar is filled with of so many great ideas, and Mary showed us how to implement them!”
– Mary Mitchell, Title I Tutor

“Very engaging and informative! I love all the practical ideas Mary provided, which I can use immediately in my classroom!”
– Heather Lamson, 1st/2nd Grades Teacher

“Mary is so creative! I’m leaving with great ideas that I can easily apply to my small group instruction!”
– Jennifer Howe, Reading Specialist

“I so enjoyed my first BER seminar! Everything was well organized, efficient and tied to research. Very practical and inspiring!”
– Kristen Smith, 2nd Grade Teacher

“I loved Mary’s enthusiasm and warm delivery of content! I loved all the practical, hands‑on ideas and activities!”
– Marta Nikisz, 1st Grade Teacher

“I thoroughly enjoyed this seminar! The hands‑on activities were very beneficial!”
– Laura Atfield, Resource Teacher

“Excellent seminar! Seeing the actual classroom episodes on video was very helpful and the outstanding resource handbook with all the examples of extensive activities, literacy centers and guided reading ideas will be so valuable to have back at my school.”
– Kate Woerpel, Reading Specialist

“This seminar gave me extraordinary ideas and great motivation!”
– Sondra Thomas, 3rd Grade Teacher