Mary Sisley has a talent.  Teaching since 1976, she has proven to be a dedicated educator and should be applauded for her commitment towards educating our youth.  Her enthusiasm for teaching serves as a motivational tool to her students as well as her colleagues.  Her classroom exemplifies a positive atmosphere conducive to all types of learning styles.  At any given time, you can enter her classroom and immediately see and sense that visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning is going on.  The environment in her classroom is both innovative and unique, but most importantly it is a home away from home for her students.  Students not only remember what Ms. Sisley has taught them, but they remember “how” they were taught.  She also feels very adamant about parents being aware of the child’s learning process.  Communicating the positive as well as the negative is beneficial to everyone involved. 

Some of her leadership roles and staff development activities include grade level chair for fifth grade and serving as chairperson for the EESAC.  She is also a Clinical Educator Facilitator and has had numerous interns in past years.  She is ESOL endorsed as well as having obtained Gifted certification.  Mary is always eager to assist fellow co-workers in furthering their education, and has helped many with her enormous stash of materials.

Mary has been recognized numerous times for her commitment towards education.  Her most recent include, THE GOLDEN APPLE AWARD presented by the Miami Herald for outstanding teaching practices.  She is a recipient of an Education Fund mini-grant and will be a featured Disseminator at the Idea EXPO next month.  As a result, North Miami Elementary will be receiving a monetary gift.  Mary was runner-up in the District for Science Teacher of the Year.

Volunteering her time to many service-oriented activities plays an important aspect in her life.  Whether it is teaching religious education classes at church or overseeing the duties of being President in the community where she lives, she serves as a role model for many people in and out of the classroom.

Mary and her husband Bob have been season ticket holders for the Miami Dolphins for over 15 years.  During these years they have participated and supported many fund raising events sponsored by the team.  It is no wonder Mary Sisley feels she has a wonderful balance in her life.  She is making a difference as an educator.  Her goal is to create a generation of life-long learners.  Mary Sisley is definitely doing that and more.