Mary Reinbold is a Special Education Teacher for Toutle Lake School District.

How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?
I have worked for ESD112 since January 2016 as a Special Education teacher.

What do you like best about your job?
The kids! I love the ability that comes with special education to really get to know each student, learn what makes them tick, then cater an education plan according to their needs. Getting to know my students is the highlight of my job.

What do you find most challenging about your job?
Special Education is challenging to me because of ALL the information you need to know, balance, and research. As a new teacher, I find holes in my knowledge of intervention strategies for specific student needs. I know enough to know there is a learning deficit in a particular area, but I don’t always know exactly what approach to take to assist the student in achieving success.

Single? Married? Kids? Pets?
I am married to my husband, Kirk, who teaches shop and CTE classes as well as advises the robotics team. I have three daughters, ages 14, 12, and 10. We have 2 dogs, a Dachshund named Mozart and a Labrador named Sidney. We live on a farm and have goats, chickens, an alpaca, and occasionally pigs.

Mary and her family hanging with Chewbacca in Disneyland.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?
My family and I enjoy hiking, kayaking, going to Disneyland. I also like to bake, cook, sew, craft and create beautiful things.

What animal best represents you and why?
If I had to choose an animal that represents me, I would say that I am a Labrador retriever. Labs love people to the point of being a little annoying. I laugh at how my dog seems to say, “Hi! You’re a human! I like humans!” That’s kind of me in a nutshell.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love hosting in my home and bringing together loved ones for food and friendship. I also love that there is not the expectation of gifts. It’s all about building relationship.

If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
I love my forties. If I could pause life at any age, it would be to stop aging right here.

What is the meaning/story behind your name?
My name is Mary Jane. My grandmother and aunt also share my name. I used to hate it when I was a kid, but now I love it because it is old fashioned. I also collect the shoes with the same name.

If you had been born the opposite gender, what would your parents have named you?
I’ve been told my name would have been David had I been a boy.

What future events are you looking forward to?
My husband and I celebrate our 20th anniversary next summer and are planning a trip to Hawaii! I can’t wait!

What is your spirit animal?
A unicorn.