Marika Páez Wiesen is the author of the Heinemann/FirstHand title A Quick Guide to Teaching Informational Writing, Grade 2. A National Board Certified teacher and literacy specialist at Bronx Community Charter School, she began her teaching career with Teach for America and went on to teach kindergarten, first, and second grades before becoming a Staff Developer at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.
She’s led numerous teacher leadership groups and institutes across New York City and the country on a wide variety of topics, such as: supporting English language learners in reading and writing instruction; using reading partnerships to improve reading; and writing fairytales. Her favorite part of teaching writing is witnessing the joy and pride students feel as they share their feelings and passions. She holds a B.M. in Music Education from Willamette University, and a M.S. in Teaching from Bankstreet College of Education.