Biography
Mary Anne Mong, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of special education at Penn State Altoona. Her research focuses on strategies for supporting peer interaction, academic and social success for children with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. She has a particular interest in working with students with ADHD and Emotional Behavioral challenges.
Dr. Mong is especially passionate about teaching. She teaches special education courses for general education teachers including introduction and methods courses, supporting families of children with disabilities, and technology for supporting students with disabilities.
Dr. Mong serves on Penn State Altoona Faculty Senate and is chair of the Senate Campus Climate and Diversity Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Academic Integrity Board and the Student Conduct Board. Outside of Penn State Altoona, Dr. Mong serves on the board of the Child Advocates of Blair County.
In her leisure time, Dr. Mong enjoys foraging for mushrooms and wild greens, cooking, painting, and writing. She is currently working on several children's books with a particular interest in writing novels that feature children with disabilities in their everyday life.
Research Interests
- Social and cognitive challenges for children and adolescents with emotional/behavioral challenges, and/or learning disabilities
- Evidence based writing/reading interventions
- Peer-mediated learning strategies
- Social skills development
- Drama therapy with children and adolescents
Publications
Articles
Mason, L. H., Mong Cramer, M., Garwood, J. D., Varghese, C., Hamm, J., & Murray, A. (2017). The Efficacy of S.R.S.D. Instruction for Developing Writers with and without Disabilities in Rural Schools: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 34(4), 11.
Mong Cramer, A., & Mason, L. H. (2014). The effects of strategy instruction for writing and revising persuasive quick writes for middle school students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Behavioral Disorders, 38, 37-51.
Mason, L. H., Kubina, R. M., Kostewicz, D., Mong Cramer, M. , & Datchuk, S. (2013). Improving quick write performance of middle school struggling learners. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 38(3), 236-246.
Mason, L. H., Meadan, H., Hedin, L., & Mong Cramer, M. (2012). A qualitative examination of intervention effects on students' motivation for reading and writing. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 28, 70-96. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10573569.2012.632734
Mason, L. H., Kubina, R. M., Valasa, L. L., & Mong Cramer, M. (2010). Evaluating effective writing instruction of adolescent students in an emotional and/or behavioral support setting. Behavioral Disorders, 35, 140-156.
Mason, L. H., & Mong Cramer, M. (2008). Rarely had the words poured: Teaching persuasive writing. Insights on Learning Disabilities, 5, 25-39.
Books
Calderon-Berumen, F., Tanner, S. J., Shear, S., & Mong Cramer, M. (2021). Knowing differently/teaching differently: Transforming a teacher education program. Kinkead-Clark, Z. and Escayg, K (Eds.) Reconceptualizing quality early childhood education, care, and development: Perspectives from the 'others' U.K.: Palgrave McMillan.
Mong Cramer, M., & Mason, L. H. (2015). "Thank you for helping me write a better paper": Peer support in learning to write. In Karen Harris, Ph.D. & Lynn Meltzer, Ph.D. (Eds.), The Power of peers: Enhancing learning, development, and social skills. (pp. 69 - 101). NY:NY: Guilford Press. Peer-reviewed/refereed. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: ISBN-13: 978-1462521067
Mason, L. H., & Mong Cramer, M. (2014). Linking classroom assessment to written language interventions. In S. Little & A. Akin-Little (Eds.), Academic Assessment and Intervention (pp. 241-256). NY:NY: Routledge. Peer-reviewed/refereed. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: ISBN-13: 978-0415539210
Education
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University, Education, University Park, PA, 2011.
Major: Special Education
Dissertation Title: The Effects Of Strategy Instruction For Writing And Revising Persuasive Responses On Middle School Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders
M.Ed., Pennsylvania State University, Education, University Park, PA, 2006.
Major: Special Education
Dissertation Title: "But there Aren't Any Pictures": Direct Instruction's Impact on Struggling Adolescent Readers
BS, Pennsylvania State University, Education, University Park, PA, 1992.
Major: Elementary Education
Papers and Presentations
Mong Cramer, M. (March 8, 2021 - March 13, 2021). "Untangling "Fake News": Using S.R.S.D. Strategies to Support Critical Reading and Writing," Council for Exceptional Children Learning Interactive Virtual Event (C.E.C. L.I.V.E.), Council for Exceptional Children.
Mong Cramer, M. (March 8, 2021 - March 13, 2021). "Creating Powerful Learning Experiences for Pre-Service Teachers Through Novels," C.E.C.'s Learning Interactive Virtual Event (C.E.C. L.I.V.E.), Council for Exceptional Children.
Mong Cramer, M. (Presenter, Penn State Altoona). (April 13, 2019). "Accommodations and Modifications to Promote Full Inclusion of Students with Disabilities," Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Mong Cramer, M. (Presenter, Penn State Altoona). (April 13, 2019). "Promoting Engagement of Students with Challenging Behaviors," Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Mong Cramer, M. (October 4, 2018 - October 5, 2018). "It's Not You, It's Me: Assessing the Role of the Teacher in Disruptive Behaviors," Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children, Harrisburg, PA.
Mong Cramer, M. (February 10, 2018). "S.R.S.D. for Writing and Revising Persuasive Responses With and Without Peer Mediation," Council for Exceptional Children Conference and Expo, Council for Exceptional Children, Tampa, FL.