Educator Spotlight: Project Success Subject Matter Expert

PCG’s Project Success Resource Center is comprised of a team of passionate special education subject matter experts who design and deliver targeted professional development and coaching to teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals across the country. Project Success is proud to spotlight the work of one of our subject matter experts, Mary Baker-Boudissa. She recently sat down with PCG’s Communications Team to discuss her career and current role within Project Success.

You are not a teacher but have been involved in education. Please tell me a little bit about your background related to education before coming to PCG.
I have always been in and around schools—first in developing character education and service-learning programs for school districts. Later, I was the assistant director for charter school research at Ball State University. Part of my role was to support accountability and student achievement measures in Indiana’s charter schools with assessment, professional learning for data-driven and differentiated instruction, and reporting on student progress for legislators, authorizers, and other stakeholders. During this time, I earned my master's in educational psychology.

In addition, as a co-active coach with United Way, I worked with families who were struggling financially to set and achieve educational and employment goals to help them become more financially stable. I also continue to support area schools locally as a community member and parent. All of this experience has helped enhance the work I am doing at PCG.

PCG’s Project Success Resource Center offers a broad range of professional development, coaching, and learning programs. Are you involved in all of them, or do you focus on any in particular?

I have worked with the Project Success Resource Center since joining PCG in 2018. I’ve been a collaborator on multiple trainings and webinars offered for paraprofessionals around culturally responsive practices, equity, effective communication, and parent engagement. This school year, I will be co-presenting a series of webinars for paraprofessionals.

What piece of advice would you give to a new teacher or paraprofessional today?

For any educator, the most important element of being effective starts with your “why.” Remember why working with students is important to you. Then, add to that a commitment to meet each student where they are. Every student can learn, communicate, and thrive in their own way. As educators, we have the power and the responsibility to help them unlock that potential.

Last but not least, what can you tell us about your work in inclusive practices?

Much of the work that I do is connected to educational equity, including equity audits, special education reviews, and professional learning. At the core of inclusive practices is ensuring that all students have access to general education, including students with identified disabilities. We can’t have educational equity without inclusive practices and meeting the unique educational needs of each student.

We like to wrap up our conversations with PCG subject matter experts on a less serious note so, if it’s all right with you, we have one final request: Could you share something about yourself that isn’t related to work or teaching?

For all of my adult life, I’ve been a fan of ballroom dancing, and I’ve volunteered with charity events that featured performances by some brilliant dancers. This year, I finally decided to take ballroom dance lessons, and it’s my “happy place”! I look forward to one day competing as an amateur, and I’m really excited for my first individual performance later this month. Another pastime I’ve rediscovered is playing Dungeons & Dragons with my kids and friends. Even before the resurgence with Stranger Things (Netflix), I found that it was a great way to connect with my teenagers and stay connected with friends around the country. I’m having a blast adventuring as my character, who is a half-elf Bard.

For more information on joining any of our professional development opportunities, contact Ashley aquick@pcgus.com or visit the Project Success website at www.pcgprojectsuccess.com.