Here is some biographical information for the contributors to the Life of a Mom web site.

Mary Cantafio

I was born and raised in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  My husband, Anthony, and I live in a country setting on an acre of wooded land with our four beautiful cats…Nico, Blu, Lucas, and Rocky.  Upon graduating from Marywood University in 1980, with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education, I became employed as a third grade teacher in a private school.  When my two sons James and Anthony were born, I became a stay at home mom for three years. During the evening I went back to school to earn by M.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Scranton. 

My expertise ranges from the newborn child right through an eighth grade student.  I have experience teaching children in preschool, first grade, where I taught for fifteen years, second, third, and fifth grade.  I am currently teaching fourth grade in a public school.

I am a two time “Teacher of the Year” recipient, an teacher award recognition run through Sam’s Club/Wal-Mart Stores.  Also, a fellow teacher nominated me into “Who’s Who of Elementary Teachers” in the state of Pennsylvania, an outstanding honor for any teacher.

Dr. Keith F. Durkin

Dr. Keith F. Durkin is associate professor of Sociology and chair of the Department of Psychology and Sociology of Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio.  He earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1996.  He has done extensive research and has published numerous papers in the areas of criminology and deviant behavior.  Over the past years Dr. Durkin has been a proponent for Jessica’s Law and protecting our children from criminals and pedophiles on the Internet has become very important to him.