We are honored to recognize our Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction and in order to help educators achieve their professional development goals, NSHSS is providing 4 awards of $2,500 each to help with the costs of tuition and course-related expenses for teachers and counselors who are enrolling in university courses in Summer 2015, Fall, 2015, or Spring 2016. Congratulations to our 2015 Higher Education Grant recipients:
Christen Campbell, French teacher, Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Anne Gill, AP Biology teacher, Cy-Fair High School, Cypress, Texas
Regina O’Neal, Spanish teacher; World Languages Department Chair, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
Amy Perruso, Social Studies teacher, Mililani High School, Mililani, Hawaii
Top 10 Educators of 2014: Kenneth Bernstein
Claes Nobel Educators of the Year NSHSS is pleased to highlight our 2014 Claes Nobel Educators of the Year, presented to ten exemplary educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success in college and in life. These ten educators are among NSHSS’s student-nominated Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction program that recognizes educators who model best practices in teaching, are a positive influence for students and peers, and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in education, as well as community engagement. Since the inception of the Educators of Distinction program in 2004, NSHSS has recognized more than 38,000 educators worldwide.
Kenneth Bernstein, Social Studies Teacher
Catonsville High School, Catonsville, MD
After previously working as a senior programmer analyst, a senior product specialist, and a senior sales support analyst, Mr. Bernstein began what would be a 20+ year career in education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Haverford College, a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary, and a Master of Arts in teaching secondary Social Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Bernstein is a National Board Certified Social Studies teacher, and he has been named the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher. Mr. Bernstein is a published author and book and AP test reviewer, and he has presented at multiple conferences. He has also served as a guest blogger for NYTimes.com, CNN.com, and EducationVotes.org.
In addition to contacting all parents at the start of each year, Mr. Bernstein inquires of his students’ concerns, future plans, and interests. He believes in educating the “whole child.” In addition to teaching 3 sections of AP Macro and Micro Economics, 1 section of AP US Government, and 2 sections of Gifted Local, State, and National Government, Mr. Bernstein finds time to attend his students’ athletic, drama, and musical events. He intends for his efforts to enable students to develop a sense of self not only in academia, but as overall “persons of value.” Mr. Bernstein is a musician, and he encourages his students to demonstrate their knowledge through various creative arts. Over three dozen of Mr. Bernstein’s students have chosen to become educators.
Mr. Bernstein has been nominated by several students to become an NSHSS Educator of Distinction. He has also spoken on behalf of the Educators of Distinction at the annual NSHSS Scholar’s Day event in Washington D.C. His nominating student writes, “Mr. Bernstein is a brilliant educator who never misses a day of school, and he provides extra help for his students. Although he has strong beliefs, he never imposes these beliefs on his students, rather he allows them to develop their own principles.”