Maria Dismondy was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. She is the award-winning author of five children’s books. Maria holds a Masters degree in education and served as an elementary school teacher and reading interventionist for ten years before transitioning into her current role as author, blogger and professional speaker. Maria’s experiences have shaped her into an individual who lives life to the fullest, appreciating what she has and who uses her passion to make a difference. She is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children through meaningful literature. Maria is a dynamic speaker who presents on a number of empowering topics such as bullying, character building, and reading and writing for young authors. She lives in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan with her husband and three young children.