Bringing Faith to LifeRead Time 8 min

Mary Wackman, who has taught middle school religion for 20 years at St. Mary, Hales Corners, is admired for the creative ways she helps her students grow their faith in God. (Photo by Larry Hanson)

It’s one thing when adults describe someone in glowing terms.

Letters of recommendation supporting Mary Wackman’s nomination by her principal as a Catholic Herald Teacher of the Year candidate sing her praises. “A cornerstone of our school community,” “set the gold standard for what it means to be a Catholic educator” and “a shining example of what it means to be an educator guided by Christ’s teachings” were just a few of the accolades.

But middle schoolers tell it like it is, and Wackman’s students are in sync with the adults on her outstanding teaching and more.

“I could go on for hours about how good she is,” said Olivia Plassmeyer, an eighth grader at St. Mary in Hales Corners, where Wackman has taught middle school religion and served as an eighth-grade homeroom teacher for two decades.

Plassmeyer said Wackman takes the time to work with her. “She’s just very loving. Anything she can give to you, she will,” Plassmeyer said.

“She makes it a lot more fun to learn about Jesus, more inclusive and exciting,” said Dominic Thompson, another eighth grader. “I think all of us are very glad to have her here.”

Thompson and other students said they really appreciate Wackman’s teaching methods — less memorization for tests, more creative, project-based learning such as role-playing, liturgical season activities, service projects and a daily student-led Examen. Last month, for example, each seventh grader created plans for a video game he or she would create to teach another student about a parable of their choice and living the Beatitudes.

“She makes being with God fun,” said Patrick Devaney, another member of the class of 2025. And if you get in trouble, “she’ll help you make the best of this situation you have made,” he said.

Wackman loves to take what is going on in the here and now and tie it to Catholic teachings.

“Maybe there’s some trouble in the lunchroom with how they’re treating one another, so we go back to the Catholic social teachings and human dignity and respect.”

Another example of Wackman’s hands-on approach is working with eighth graders on their prayer journals — each student has written about 10 prayers so far this year.

“Through these prayers, I’ve connected with God so much. I’ve grown so much stronger in my faith,” said Breanna Doyle, also in eighth grade. Her middle school experience will help her understand and apply what she learns about her faith moving forward, she added.

“Without Mrs. Wackman, I would not be where I am today on my faith journey and my connection to God. She really cares about each and every one of us,” said Kate Boinski, who came to St. Mary in the sixth grade more than two years ago after attending a public school.

“Catholic has just always been a big part of who I am,” said Wackman, who grew up as part of a large Irish family on the East Side of Milwaukee and attended Ss. Peter and Paul School.

But she never planned to be a teacher.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wackman worked in retail and bank management before leaving the workforce when her children were young.

She volunteered at St. Mary School when her two sons entered grade school there and she was later asked to pursue a substitute teacher license.

When the school’s longtime middle school religion teacher retired in 2004, then-Pastor Fr. Chuck Schramm encouraged Wackman to apply for the position, but she did not feel worthy or qualified.

“I did a lot of discerning,” Wackman said, and she also learned that the archdiocese permitted persons with a non-teaching bachelor’s degree to pursue a master’s degree in education while holding a teaching position. Her husband of more than 30 years, Chris, supported her return to school and to work full time — as did her youngest son, who would have her as a teacher for his eighth grade year at St. Mary.

“Plus, my mother was telling me this is what I was born for.”

Another key moment in her new career occurred in her first history of education class while pursuing her master’s at Cardinal Stritch. The professor told the class, “Treat every child as if they’re someone’s beloved.”

“That permeates everything that I do, along with the line from Matthew about ‘let the little children come to me.’ So you combine those two things — and again, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the enormity of what I’m asked to do, with help — to develop their faith. It’s very humbling to be on this journey with them,” Wackman said.

Her impact is broad. “I have lost count of the number of students who have asked to receive the sacraments after their spirit moves from her courses,” said Annemarie Wood, a longtime colleague who is now principal of St. Mary, Menomonee Falls.

Wackman says that’s definitely a two-way street.

“I cannot describe in words how I have grown on my own faith journey being here every day with these awesome, I call them, ‘open books.’ They’re like sponges — they want to hear, they want to learn, they’re so eager to share, and I’m like, ‘Man, that’s amazing.’”

Wackman at a Glance

Years at school: 20

Years as a teacher: 20

Favorite saint: Tough question — so many good choices. My favorite saints are St. Mary, St. Peter and St. Patrick (because of my Irish mother).

Hobbies: I love to read, listen to music, play board games, go to museums of all sorts and spend time in nature wondering at the bounty of creation.

Favorite food: It changes. Being from Wisconsin, we have so many good types of cheese that are delicious.

Quote that guides your life: “Live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received,” Ephesians 4:1b, and from an education professor, “Treat everyone as if they are someone’s beloved.”