Mary Wagner

Mary Wagner taught in the Fairfax County Public Schools for 39 years. She started her advocacy work when the 4th grade string program was repeatedly put on the chopping block. That program shines today with 8700 students. In 2010 the entire elementary program was slated for cuts. Mary successfully worked with John Benham to save band/strings. In 2016 Mary and Jenna Day saved 4th grade strings once again and educated the school board about the program.

Mary was ASTA President from 2006-8 when the country was in a recession. She had participated in many ASTA panels on advocacy, so people started asking her for advice. She has helped teachers in multiple states since that time. Mary and Jenna have done clinics at ASTA, MidWest and VMEA conferences and have a webinar on the ASTA website.

ASTA has been an important part of Mary’s life. She served as secretary, president, article editor of AST, and conference chair for 8 years. She worked on the ASTA curriculum and has had articles in AST. She is on the Advocacy committee and will chair the committee this coming year.

A cellist, Mary had a large studio and performed locally. Currently, she works at James Madison University support music student teachers.