Before you know it, another school year will be in full swing. Whether your students are attending the school they’re always gone to or entering a new environment, it’s good to know who’s in charge.
Assistant Principal Chris Bernard is a self-proclaimed sports nut. He also happens to love driving a Zamboni almost as much as he enjoys driving students to succeed.
Bernard is a dedicated educator at Central Elementary in Kenowa Hills. He’s taught at every grade level, but he wasn’t always in front of a class. For a while, he was the guy who cleaned the rink at Kentwood Ice Arena. Hockey is just one of the sports he loves.
This time of year you can find him on a golf course, swimming or just being active outside. In the fall, he’ll no doubt be cheering on the Maize and Blue with his wife, Melissa, and their children Avery and Camden.
Family is what brought him into education. His mom was a public school teacher for 36 years at East Kentwood where Chris attended. He’s always found education, teaching and learning challenging but also very rewarding. Among the most valuable lessons he’s gained is the value of having a sense of humor and not taking things too seriously.
If Bernard had to pick his own walk up song it would probably be Happy by Pharrell Williams. And if he wasn’t teaching, he may try his hand at cosmetology. He has a talent for cutting his own hair.
To find out more about the leaders of area public schools before classes begin this year, check out the “meet your principal” series on School News Network dot org.
Joy Walczak reporting