Staff Comments
Kari Franz, Gr 2 Teacher North Trail Elementary-Farmington MN
Mary, it was an absolute joy to have you back at NTES. Thank you for reaching out to me and for your time to present to K-3!
It was so fun to witness the interaction and participation of the kids with you during each of your sessions. You have added to and inspired our teacher toolkits. Having the kids along for the (same) ride provided an invaluable reference point moving forward with reading, writing, and simply connecting with kids and colleagues.
We will continue to refer back to our special time with you not only this year but for years to come.
Kim Prodahl, Library Specialist, Holy Name of Jesus School, Wayzata, MN
“It was a joy to have Mary Bleckwehl visit Holy Name of Jesus School! We are a Pre-K through 6th grade school and all grades benefited from her visit. She is a dynamic speaker and is clearly a “teacher at heart”. Her book, Henry! Your Late Again is delightful and we would highly recommend her presentation to all schools.”
Anne Jones, Media Specialist Chanhassen Elementary
“Mary, your presentation was a winner! You really have your finger on the pulse of the lower primary age child. Our students loved your presentation, and all your books that I had purchased for our collection were checked out the day after your visit. You are a hit with our elementary crowd. I know our kids will be talking about you for a long time. I’d love to have you back when we have a new crop of youngsters to introduce to you.”
Ken Essay, Principal, Harriet Bishop Elementary, Savage MN
I loved the presentation and our staff and students were thrilled. Thank you again for your time, your energy, and your passion!
Linda Vaplon, Reading Teacher, Wabasha, MN
I’m so happy you enjoyed lunch with the student council members. I know they thought it was very special to dine with a “real” author! Your presentations certainly gave them hope that they can pursue their dreams and make them come true. What an inspiration!
Pinecrest Elementary, Hastings MN
Thanks again for coming (for the sixth year)! The kids LOVED your visit. Your books are still the hot item in our classroom and the school library! I love seeing them excited about reading. Thanks for continuing to inspire young readers and writers. I’ll be in touch and look forward to inviting you back next year!—Melissa Black, 2ndgrade teacher.
Molly Ring - St. John's Lutheran School Teacher Lake City, MN
“Our children were enthralled with your visit… You have inspired some of them I am sure. Thanks again for coming and for the love and concern for our kids.”
P. Olson, E.A. and parent, New Albin Elementary, New Albin, Iowa
My son really enjoyed the day with you; he has never talked so much (& LEARNED so much!) about a school day, ever! (From eating lunch and dressing up to publishing, illustrating, and even how much paper it takes to create a book!) He also reported to me that you’re branching out into chapter books! Congrats!!!! What a great opportunity you provided for those kids! Amazing! Thanks for making the trip!
Susie Jahnke, Media Specialist, Spring Grove MN
We loved having you here! I have heard many compliments on your presentations! Thanks for making my first solo author event so successful and enjoyable. I will definitely suggest you to the schools in our area.
Rob Stewart, Principal Wabasha-Kellogg Schools, MN
It was a great day and I thought you did an awesome job! I know the students really enjoyed their time with you today and I heard a lot of great comments from our staff. Thank you for these additional resources as well.
Tami Rhea, Media Specialist, Dover-Eyota School
Thank you so much! It was a wonderful time. Ana said, and I quote, “ I LOVE Mary Bleckwehl!! Do you think she will come to my birthday party if I invite her?” So thank you for being special.
Pam Zidarich, Learning Specialist, Christina Huddleston Elementary School, Lakeville MN
“Mary Bleckwehl has published two funny books about a boy named Henry. We haven’t had such an engaging author visit at our school since Nancy Carlson! Mary presented to our K-3 students and I would highly recommend her for an author visit to your school in the future. “
Cindy Schmidt, Medford Public School Teacher
“Thanks for coming to Medford Elementary to kick off I Love to Read month this year!! We really appreciate you coming. I have heard nothing but praise about the presentations you did for our preschoolers through fourth graders! We look forward to having you back for our Family Reading Night to conclude our month long celebration of reading. “
Dani Rypka - 1st Grade Teacher - McKinley Elementary Owatonna, MN
“Thank you again for coming today. Your presentation was so perfect for our “job day” the students had a really great time. They loved your book! “
Henry Schantzen, Principal, Bluffview Montessori, Winona MN
Thank you so much for the great visit. The kids really enjoyed the presentations-my son (2nd grade) loves to write stories and he thought it was great as well. In all honesty, I thought it was so great that I am going to speak with my art and music teachers about having a guest artist and musician.
3rd graders at Monroe Elementary, N. Mankato MN- who pranked their secretary-pretending to be late like Henry!
“Many thanks from the Monroe Mustangs! It was great to learn about the steps in making a book, fun to see classmates in costumes, and liked hearing about your life as an author and especially liked the baby diaper illustration!”
Heidi Zimmerman, gr. 1 teacher Woodland Elementary, Eagan MN
“Thank-you so much for your visit to Woodland. The students were very excited. As we were walking back to the classroom, several said they were going to talk to their parents about getting the books or the App. They loved listening to a real author read her book!.”
Marion Klimmek, Media Specialist Jefferson Elementary-New Ulm MN
“Thank you so much for the your wonderful visit to our school. I had many great comments from teachers about you and your presentations. They knew you were a teacher by the way you presented and handled the children. I was most impressed when you showed students the steps in getting your books written and published. I also loved how you impressed upon the students that they were authors. Your positive comments to the students like continue to read, you need to practice to be better, it’s not just magic-were all great to share with the students. The costumes and magic tricks were great hits with them too. You handled the large groups so well.”