About Maria

My Story

I’m a retired elementary classroom teacher and remedial reading teacher. As an adjunct professor, I taught Literacy Acquisition and Children’s Literature undergraduate and graduate courses for teachers. Prior to teaching, I was a banker, a baker, but never a candlestick maker. Ha, ha! I baked specialty cakes and taught cake decorating for Wilton while going to college part-time and raising our three children.

My picture book, SOFIA’S STOOP STORY: 18th STREET, BROOKLYN, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, was published by Blue Marlin Publications. In 2015, it was awarded the Teachers’ Choice Award from Learning Magazine.

As an officer of a local Rotary Club, I write a Literacy Grant each year to provide dictionaries for more than 400 third grade students in a local school district. When we deliver them to each class and I discuss how to use the dictionaries to improve the students writing and reading skills. I also inform them of the numerous local, national, and international projects our Rotary
Club is involved in. I am the lead advisor for our community’s Interact Club (Rotary Club for teenagers). Our motto is, “Service Above Self.” We also abide by ROTARY’S FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we say and do:

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

When I’m not writing, reading picture books, or visiting schools, I read and discuss novels with my book club friends of over 25 years. I also enjoy gardening, baking, making meatballs, and spending time boating with my husband, our three children, their spouses, and our five grandsons.

Uncle Frankie

This is the man who inspired my award-winning book:

SOFIA’S STOOP STORY, my dear Uncle Frankie!

Throughout my journey, my collaboration with various esteemed organizations has been instrumental in honing my writing skills and shaping my success. My heartfelt gratitude extends to all members of the following organizations for their unwavering supporting and shared knowledge.