Mrs. Mari Fennell
Email: mlfennel@mpsaz.org
Phone: 480-472-2875
I am very excited to be a Carson Cougar! I have taught for a very long time, but that is because I love my job and I love kids...so I truly look forward to teaching your students this year!
Background: Born and raised in Michigan and Illinois, I became a teacher because I loved both school and children. My first year of teaching was spent in sunny Florida, my second year in beautiful South Carolina. Then I had the privilege to spend the next 10 years teaching English in the country of Taiwan, specifically in the central city of Taichung. Three of my four children were born and raised there, while I learned much about Chinese culture and lifestyle. This experience was probably the highlight of my life, and I learned so much from my Asian friends, not the least of which was the Mandarin Chinese language.
Later, returning to the States, I lived and worked in both Chicago and Kansas. In 2001, we moved to Arizona where I have since lived. These past 9 years, I have spent teaching at Smith Junior High in east Mesa. My four children are grown now, two of which live in Arizona. My oldest daughter lives here and works at American Express. My older son is a pastor, married, and lives in Milan, Illinois with his wife and three little red-headed girls, Abby, Katie, and LynnMarie. My younger daughter is married to an Air Force cadet and they are stationed in Okinawa, where they plan on staying because they love it there so much. My youngest son is married, and they live here in Queen Creek, and work in our church's Junior High Youth Group.In addition, I have my two stepsons, one who lives in Georgia, is married to a high school English teacher and does computer simulations for the military, and one who is recently married, lives in Kansas, and is a manager for UPS.
Education:
Graduated from JB Conant High School in the Chicago area
Attended Bob Jones University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1976.
Taught 4th grade in both Florida and South Carolina, ESL for both children of all ages as well as adults in Taiwan for 10 years while graduating from two years of Chinese language study from the Taipei Language Institute
Graduated with an Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Saint Mary in 2003.
Taught Jr High in Kansas and Arizona
Interests: I spend most of my time outside of school working with youth groups, either junior high or high school students. Summers have been spent in camp as both a counselor and cook. I love drama and music, I sing as well as play the violin, and enjoy gardening, sewing, and visiting my grandchildren:)