When a student thinks about their favorite teacher, or the teacher who had the biggest impact on their young life, they most likely describe them with words like caring and supportive, inspiring, funny and passionate about their learning.  When you know Mary Wiedder, you know why so many of her past students use those words when they talk about her.

Mrs. Wiedder began her career in the La Habra City School District over 25 years ago.  For the past 25 years, she has devoted her career to helping students see their potential and encouraging them to never give up on what they can do in their future.  She has built long-lasting relationships with her students and their families.  They become part of her family and she becomes a part of theirs. As she encounters them around the city and county, they are happy to greet her.  Amazingly, she can remember their names and parents, who they “hung out” with and what kind of a student they were in her classroom.  Over the years as a fourth and fifth grade teacher, she has been able to use her quick wit to gets kids laughing, learning and loving being in her room.  It is no wonder that she stays in touch with so many of her students long into their adult lives.           

Mary has been a leader among her peers.  As a Master Teacher, she has taken the responsibility of mentoring many young student teachers.  Quite a few of them have remained in our district as a result of her outstanding training and professional inspiration.  Once in our district, many have benefited from her supportive mentoring as she served in the Beginning Teacher Support Assessment (BTSA) program, continuing to guide them through their first two years in the profession.  Over the years, she has served as a member of the Sierra Vista Instructional Leadership Team assisting colleagues in the implementation of best practices and instructional strategies to improve student learning.  She is highly respected among her fellow teachers for her strong work ethic and ability to work collaboratively with everyone.  

Mrs. Wiedder is always the first to volunteer for whatever needs to be done and goes above and beyond in doing it.  She produces the yearbook annually and takes most of the pictures of events herself.  She collaborates with the PTA by orchestrating the Honorary Service Awards event to recognize special people who have supported the school.  For many years, she oversaw the after school operation of the Friday Night Live club where she provided opportunities for students at the school to experience fun with their peers in a safe and organized environment.

I can’t think of a more deserving teacher to be awarded our Teacher of the Year title.  Mary is truly a teacher who cares so much about the success of each and every child in her classroom year after year.  Their academic and social development, coupled with their personal and psychological well being, is clearly a part of her teaching philosophy.  When you watch her teach, you clearly hear, see, and feel the passion and fun that she brings to this profession.  She IS a teacher to be remembered!

Cathy Kalcevich, Principal
Sierra Vista Elementary School