The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and that’s certainly true for Ms. Mary Pasch, the English Language Arts teacher for our 6th graders at HMS.

Born and raised in Hastings, Mary saw firsthand her mother's impact as a teacher and administrator in the school district she would eventually serve. After a brief time away, she and her husband returned to Hastings, where they raised their family, and Mary dedicated her career to ISD 200. She is now in her 36th year of teaching within the district.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside amazing students, parents, staff, and community members over the years,” says Ms. Pasch. “My life is richer because of these connections, and I’ve learned so much from everyone.”

Mary finds deep satisfaction in her role. “I love watching my students’ academic and social/emotional growth throughout the year,” she explains. “I also appreciate the many opportunities I’ve had to try new things, which have helped me grow personally and professionally.”

Mary’s inspiration comes from the strong women in her family—her mother and grandmother—who were trailblazers in their own right. Both women, she says, demonstrated the confidence and work ethic to carve new paths and accomplish great things for themselves and others. It’s clear that Mary continues to follow in their footsteps.

When she’s not helping students thrive, Ms. Pasch enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, canning, and hiking