Author: Mary McLaughlin, M.S. SpEd; Ma-TESOL

Mary McLaughlin is a special education teacher and freelance writer living in northeast Arkansas. She holds a master’s in education, along with an SpEd and Ma-TESOL. She has taught second and third grade, served as a teacher mentor, instructional coach, state and federal funding coordinator, ELL coordinator, and assistant principal for grades K-8. Upon moving to a school where there were 36 different language groups represented, Mary obtained her Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Thanks to her degree and desire, the school asked her to assume the ELL role in tandem with her classroom job. There, Mary worked with other teachers to teach strategies, supports, and interventions to create pathways to success for the multicultural community. She has lived in Mexico, spent numerous vacations in Brazil to visit family, and loves to visit locales off the beaten path. Mary hails from southeastern Michigan and holds degrees from Eastern Michigan University, Madonna University, and Arkansas State University. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother who works hard to instill the joy of world travel into the hearts and minds of her friends and family. Mary also works with an international high school student exchange program and mentors visiting students from abroad. Mary enjoys her free time traveling, reading, writing, and being with her family.