About Me
Mary M. Decker M.Ed., BCBA, NBCT
I am a single mother of a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. We live in Seattle Washington where I was born and raised, so I am a true Seattlite. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling the world, gardening in my yard, and spending time in nature. One of my favorite places in the world is Canon Beach, Oregon, and it is a dream of mine to live there one day. Recently, I started getting into amateur photography of nature, so some of the pictures on this website are mine.
I have always been curious about how things work and why things are the way they are. As a young child, I would spend hours out in nature contemplating the things I observed and why things behaved the way they did. It comes as no surprise that I found my career path in Applied Behavioral Analysis while I was earning my first Master’s Degree in Education. My entire career thus far has strengthened this curiosity for understanding why. While navigating how to use Behavior Science in the public education system is not for the faint-hearted, this is something I have been able to grow and articulate to help teams understand their student's behavior and how to develop plans that are evidence-based and effective. My journey now leads to helping teams and families with this understanding with a holistic perspective to help center on the individual student.
Resume
ABOUT
An innovative leader, educator, and change agent for equitable and inclusive learning for all students. A mentor for those seeking effective, efficient, and holistic approaches to problem-solving around education and behavior. An advocate for individualized, outside-the-box, revolutionary student learning that fosters students’ own leadership in their academic success and social-emotional well-being.
EDUCATION
University of Washington Bothell, College of Education (June 2016)
Master of Education in Educational Leadership: Expanding Capacity for Special Education Leadership (ECSEL)
University of Washington, College of Education (June 2009)
Master of Special Education: Low Incidence Program and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst Preparation
University of Washington (June 2006)
Bachelor of Arts in Economics: Minor in Latin American Studies
EXPERIENCE
Owner/Provider
Decker Education and Behavioral Consultation
Special Education Coach/Coordinator Bellevue, WA
Bellevue School District (Department Re-org) August 2017-Current
Special Education ABA Coordinator, BCBA Bellevue, WA
Bellevue School District August 2015-August 2017
Special Education Program Specialist Seattle, WA
Southwest Region, Seattle Public Schools August 2014-August 2015
Special Education Instructional Support and Resource Seattle, WA
Central Office Special Education, Seattle Public Schools August 2013-August 2014
Special Education Resource Room Teacher Seattle, WA
Laurelhurst Elementary, Seattle Public Schools August 2010-June 2013
Inclusion Teacher Seattle, WA
John Hay Elementary, Seattle Public Schools August 2009- June 2010
CERTIFICATES AND AFFILIATES
Washington State Program Administrator Certification
National Board Certified Teacher (2013-Current)
Washington State Professional Teacher’s Certificate, Special Education (June 2009-Current)
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (May 2010- Current)
ARC of Washington Trust Fund Scholarship (2008-2009)
Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship (2008-2009)
Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education
University of Washington Certificate of International Economics
Dean’s List Certificate of High Scholarship 2001-2002 Annual Dean’s List
Phi Sigma Theta National Honors Society
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Omicron Delta Epsilon Economic Honors Society
OTHER RELATED EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICA
Special Education Director Internship Bellevue School District (2015-2016
Principal Internship: Seattle Public Schools: Sanislo Elementary (2014-2015)
Experimental Education Unit, Head Teacher for ESY (July 2009)
ABA Home Therapist, Various Families, and Organizations (2007-2009)
Northshore and Seattle Public Schools, Paraeducator (2006-2008)
Boys and Girls Club, Counselor (2006-2008)
UW Study Abroad Program: Peru (Summer 2005)