PORTLAND, OR, December 05, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mary Beth Bitzer has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Currently serving as an elementary school teacher with Portland Public Schools since 2016, Ms. Bitzer has led a distinguished career of over a decade in education. Recognized for her commitment to hands-on and experiential learning, she guides her students through memorable science projects including her class' aquaponics garden fish tank system, chicken hatching program, and outdoor service learning. Her philosophy of writing emphasizes persuasive modalities, where students learn to craft letters, petitions, and posters with environmental and social justice themes.

Deepening her involvement with her colleagues as well as students' families, she represents her staff as a union representative for the Portland Association of Teachers and leads her school's Social Committee. Her innovative approach to teaching— which allows her to share her passion for learning new ideas and concepts with students and families— was acknowledged in 2025 when she was selected as one of fifty teachers highlighted by Portland Public Schools during Teacher Appreciation Week out of 3,500. In her nomination, one parent wrote, "She is an amazing teacher who gets the kids excited about learning. She cares deeply about each individual and is wonderful about keeping parents involved and informed on what she's teaching."

Prior to joining Portland Public Schools, Ms. Bitzer contributed to Farrell Area Elementary School in Farrell, Pennsylvania, from 2014 to 2016. She supported students' mathematics and language arts development through academic games, kinesthetic activities, and teaching guitar basics.
Throughout her career, Ms. Bitzer has maintained active involvement in various organizations. She was the set designer and executive board member for H2H Productions, an after-school youth theater arts program that's received regional critical acclaim. Her early professional experiences and community engagement also include serving as a stay-away camp counselor for her students at Pine Valley Camp in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania and being an honorary member of Kappa Delta Pi, where she was recognized with the KDP Distinguished Service Award in 2014 for community involvement and contributions to education.

Ms. Bitzer's dedication to nurturing innovation, adaptability, and skill diversity for students of all levels and backgrounds is further demonstrated through her involvement in grant projects and research. In 2013, she wrote a grant for a nearby ESL classroom, "Supporting K-12 ESL Programs with Technology"—and, in 2014, fulfilled an independent study, "Best Pedagogical Practices for Educators of At-Risk Students". She also spoke at the 2014 Midwestern IU-4 Early Childhood Institute where she shared on the importance of student-faculty collaboration in preparing future teachers. In 2022, she created two DonorsChoose fundraisers and raised $1,500 in new science equipment and books allowing for more neurodiverse, BIPOC, and Queer perspectives in her second grade classroom.

Determined to expand her impact in the future, Ms. Bitzer is eager to publish memoirs about her time as a teacher with an emphasis on the experiences of her neurodiverse students. Outside of school, she is backpacking, engaging in art projects, or freelance ghostwriting. Though her journey counts many milestones, her greatest passion remains creating a sense of belonging, acceptance, and inclusion for all of her students.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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