Mary Giard As a teacher for over twenty years, Mary “walked her talk” — by connecting current research with actual classroom practice. She taught grades K–8, worked as a Literacy Specialist, and spent time working in both public and private schools. Her long commitment and expertise to high quality reading and language arts instruction make her a highly sought after consultant, workshop leader and university instructor. Mary has facilitated literacy staff development work K–12 throughout the United States for the past fifteen years. Mary has been actively involved in literacy initiatives throughout Maine, New England and the United States. She works with schools, administrators and school districts to understand and meet requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act while maintaining quality instructional practices and assessment work. First hand knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment practices that work in schools help ground her work in teachers’ daily lives. Mary has received wide-spread recognition for her work, including The International Reading Association's Literacy Award, The Center for the Expansion of Language, The Thinking's Outstanding Teacher Award, The Milken National Educator Award in 1992, and The New England Reading Association Special Recognition Award for literacy in 2002.