I am proud of my strong roots in the Elmbrook community. After growing up in Brookfield and graduating from Brookfield Central, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Theatre Arts Education and a master’s degree in Communication from Marquette University. My graduate work focused on nonfiction writing and digital storytelling. ​

 

My husband and I returned to the community 35 years ago to raise our three daughters, all Brookfield East graduates. And now we have the added joy of seeing our grandchildren represent our family’s third generation of Elmbrook students.  

 

I have worn many hats in the field of education, including working in the 1990s as a teacher and director of the Brookfield Co-op Nursery School at the Brookfield Congregational Church – one of the first preschool programs in the community. I served as librarian at Holy Apostles School in New Berlin, a K-8 Catholic school where I had the joy of unlocking the love of literature through story. For 15 years I worked in higher education at Marquette University as an instructor, recruiter for the Graduate School, and Associate Director of the Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu. I have been deeply affected by the magic of learning and the power of great teachers and engaged students.

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Nothing has been more rewarding than the 22 years I served as Forensics Coach at Brookfield East High School. I coached students to state championships and national finals. I was honored with the William A. Hintz Award for coaching excellence in 2008 and gained national recognition as a three-diamond coach in the National Speech and Debate Association. Most importantly, I witnessed hundreds of students unlock the power of their voices through literature, humor, dramatic performance, oratory, and debate, uniting their passions with purpose – achievements much more significant and lasting than trophies. 

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In 2020, I joined Swingtide, Inc., where I have created a professional development program for employees and a training program for interns, in addition to my work as a market research analyst and project manager.

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~Mary Wacker