I met Mary Boehm in 2010 when Wetumpka High School joined the A+ College Ready program as a part of Cohort 3. My first impression? Who is this fireball with the lovely grey hair? I watched her haul cases of drinks and pass out Chick Fil-A sandwiches, I listened as she explained the need for equity in AP. I heard her pleas to always, “make things better.” I could see and feel the passion she had for the students of Alabama. She inspired me. Once I became a contract employee of A+, I discovered that this could be my passion too and in 2014, Mary took a chance on me. I cannot lie, she intimidated me. She is one of the smartest women I have ever met. She is tough. She is determined. She is a dreamer. I hope I learned from her how to dream big.
In the last three years, Mary has been a mentor, guide, boss, and friend. I have learned more about the importance of data and the need to understand it than I thought this old English teacher could learn. She forced me out of my comfort zone; she made me stretch and grow. I am a better person for having known and worked with Mary Boehm.
As Mary moves away from A+ to focus on other things, I wish her well. I want to say “Thank You”, but it is just not enough. For the past ten years, Mary has fought for better schools, better instruction, and more access for Alabama students. She has orchestrated the valuable training of more than 10,000 teachers. She ensured those teachers had the resources to accomplish their goals. She has been instrumental in growing Computer Science in this state; she brought social studies into a STEM initiative! I do not believe there is anything Mary can’t do when she sets her mind to it. So, you see, “thank you” is not enough. So many lives have changed thanks to Mary Boehm and her time at A+ College Ready. I wonder how many more lives will change as she moves into another arena! I can’t wait to see!!
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