Understanding money is crucial for future growth going into adulthood. For that reason, it’s imperative to have an instructor who’s highly knowledgeable about the subject and just as passionate, too.
Mr. Robert Bernhard Jr., who’s been teaching for 33 years, ticks both of these boxes and more.
Mr. Bernhard has a bachelor’s in mathematics and a master’s in computer science. He, of course, is also proficient in teaching Economics and Personal Finance (EPF), so he has a lot of experience in various fields. Although he was originally teaching mathematics, Dr. Paula Johnson, the school principal, asked him to teach the EPF course instead.
Now he is a guru in what he does, improving his teaching every day and helping other teachers along the way, yet he has more than just teaching experience.
Mr. Bernhard has a courteous personality, saying that he “tries to be kind and helpful to students every day.”
Curtis Crowder, a 12th grade student who had Mr. Bernhard’s class last year, stated his first impression of Mr. Bernhard being of that courteous disposition.
“He was a pretty chill guy,” stated Crowder. “He was really straight to the point, which I like. I’m a relatively blunt person. And I’d say [during the] first two weeks or so when it comes to going through class work, he’s very brief, short, to the point, 15 minutes, do your work, do whatever you want. That is something I like, and I retain the information a lot better.”
Marek Horeth, another 12th grader, also similarly explained his first impression of him.
“He came along to me as a pretty chill dude,” he proclaimed. “I could tell he was really interested in the topic. He lives all the way in North Carolina and I think like that dedication to teach about economics is like really inspiring to me”
Mr. Bernhard doesn’t solely make a good impression on students;: he follows up with his teaching style and resolute politeness.
It is crucial to prepare students for their future. Mr. Bernhard makes this his priority.
“[I want them to] have the confidence to navigate adulthood because once they leave here, they’ve got to figure it out. And I want them to know what I’ve given them will help them and that they’re going to do well, and it’s important that they’re confident in themselves.”
He loves helping the students the most he can, checking up on everyone to ensure all is well.
“I think he’s a very upbeat guy,” remarked Horeth. “He tells jokes at the beginning of his class. Even though some people didn’t laugh or some people did, he still tried to bring up the experience in the room. He has a deep, deep passion for making sure that his students are very prosperous. Not only does he teach in the classroom [material], but also outside the classroom.”
Crowder stated a similar sentiment about his jokes.
“His dad jokes were comically bad [they’re] good.”
Mr. Bernhard isn’t here just for the sake of it; he has an inspiring desire to propagate his wisdom towards others and help them become financially literate.
