LOMBARDO, Mary A. 1938-

PERSONAL: Born February 26, 1938, in Haverstraw, NY; daughter of Michael and Assunta Pappalardo; married Nick Lombardo, January 11, 1964; children: Marc, Christopher, Lisa Lombardo Tusinger. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: State University of New York College at Cortland, B.S., 1959; University of New Mexico, M.A., 1975, additional study, 1984-85. Religion: Roman Catholic. Hobbies and other interests: Swimming, walking, travel, painting, reading.

ADDRESSES: Home—1820 Lester Dr. N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87112. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Primary teacher at schools in Spring Valley, NY, 1959-61, 1962-64, and Orleans, France, 1961-62; elementary teacher at public schools in Albuquerque, NM, 1972-84; Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Albuquerque, negotiator, newspaper editor, and director of staff, 1984-94; Albuquerque Public Schools, Albuquerque, reading teacher and teacher trainer at an alternative school, 1994-2000; writer, 2000—. Workshop presenter; family mediator. New Mexico Victim/Offender Mediation Program, volunteer mediator, 1994-2002; Vintage Players (volunteer drama troupe), performer, 1996—; political party volunteer.

MEMBER: Southwest Writers.

WRITINGS:

Mastering Math through Magic: Grades 4-6, Linworth Publishing (Worthington, OH), 2002.

Mastering Math through Magic: Grades 2-3, Linworth Publishing (Worthington, OH), 2003.

Mastering Math through Magic: Grades 6-8, Linworth Publishing (Worthington, OH), 2003.

Poetry and Pop-ups, Linworth Publishing (Worthington, OH), 2003.

Rhymes, Writing, and Role-Play: Quick and Easy Lessons for Beginning Readers, Linworth Publishing (Worthington, OH), 2004.

WORK IN PROGRESS: The Stranger in My House, a young-adult novel about a twelve-year-old girl who struggles to accept her mother's male friend; Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Dead, an adult mystery novel about a retired teacher who helps a former student involved with a drug dealer; Monthly Mini-Lessons, a teaching aid consisting of projects for independent study for students in grades four through six; a book of humorous essays and advice about grandmothering.

SIDELIGHTS: Mary A. Lombardo told CA: "When I worked as a teacher trainer for the Albuquerque Public Schools, I designed and presented workshops on many subjects. One in particular was so well received, with attendees clamoring for my handouts, that I thought the subject, using magic to help students practice math skills, could be a useful book. I wrote it, submitted it to an agent, and my writing career took off.

"Actually I have written fiction for years and have boxes of what I call my 'practice novels.' Now I think I am ready to find out if my practice has paid off and am revising two novels that I wrote more recently.

"I won't, however, stop writing instructional books. It gives me great satisfaction to know that teachers are using methods and strategies that I found so useful when I was teaching. I guess I will never stop being a teacher at heart!

"There are several contemporary authors who have influenced my fiction writing, particularly for their ordinary characters who are so true to life. Maeve Binchey and Anne Tyler are two such authors.

"Luckily I'm very energetic, as I lead a busy life taking care of my grandson, Josh, volunteering in various civic and church activities, and presenting workshops. That means, however, that I have to be disciplined if I want to write. Most of the time I make sure I write every day, even if it's something that I will have to discard the next day. I also do a lot of 'writing' in my head and keep a pad and pen next to my bed so that, when I get to the computer for my daily writing, I have several ideas to get me started."