Hello everyone!
My name is Dr. Mary J Haberman. As a teacher, we reminded students of the importance and power that their names have – so I feel it important to talk about what’s in my name.
My parents named me Mary because the book they were using said it meant “fair”. Every book I’ve looked at always said “bitter”. However, upon further digging, in the reconstructed Proto-Indo European language… anything that starts with mar or mor generally refers to the sea or a great body of water.
When I married, I had the same name as my mother-in-law, so she started calling me by my middle initial. The Haberman name originated from Jewish oat merchants living in Germany (“haber” meaning oats in middle German). Oats are a domesticated form of grass. I love my new name because I live on the prairie – which is a sea of grass.
Finally, while I have been known professionally as “Mary” since I was 30, I believe that honorifics are important for people to display. There are things in this world that are difficult to accomplish. It doesn’t mean that we need to make them easier for everyone to attain – it means that we need to honor the people who have accomplished these rare feats. Now – I still prefer to go by Mary, but since I believe honorifics to be an important part of American culture – I want to at least give people the option to call me by my formal name if they choose.
Mary the Adventurous Teacher
Kind of like a Chaucer story, I play a few characters. I am a licensed 7-12 science teacher, who recently moved into higher education – where I teach part-time. I’ve taught many subjects over the years: chemistry, biology, Earth science, physics, environmental science… even an entrepreneurship class. At one point I went so far as to homeschool in math, English, and social studies.
I love exploring the Earth and often go on adventures to directly observe and record my findings. The Earth is complex with interacting systems – so I have to study a little bit of everything to understand what I am looking at and I never get bored with what I discover.
Mary the Researcher & Writer
I’ve always loved to write. I have kept journals for over 20 years recording anything from my activities for the day to weird observations that I’ve made over time to potential research questions to my independent findings.
I have also conducted formal research as part of my varied education:
- literature review of avalanche prediction and prevention methods in the Rocky Mountains, after conducting field studies near Silverton CO
- experimental research of proline concentrations in Deschampsia antarctica
- case study of a meat market in the rural Upper Midwest
- literature review of educational gaming in alternative schools
- correlational research between personality and career interest
Following the completion of my doctorate, I suddenly had the urge to start researching and writing and began working with an amazing editor. Soon – we’ll have a book link for you here. 🙂
Mary the Artist
I didn’t think I was an artist for most of my life – after doing poorly on an assignment for a junior high art class. It wasn’t until I attended a paint-and-sip class 20 years later when I realized I saw the world differently – and could translate that onto canvas.
Since then, I’ve moved beyond guided painting into intuitive, self-directed work. I create paintings that explore experiences rather than simply replicating them – allowing color, movement, and instinct to lead the way.
I began recording YouTube videos in Fall 2024 and found a new form of creative expression in cutting and editing videos. You can find my videos here.
