Note: Some footage used in this video was filmed prior to the pandemic and may not depict social distancing measures.
Year: 2020 — Province: Ontario
Certificate of Excellence Recipient
River Oaks Public School
English, History, Geography and Art, grade 8
Oakville, Ontario
If I could thank Mr. Bernard for one thing, it would be for teaching me to trust my instincts and helping me understand that it's not just ok to be me; it's great to be me!
Richard Bernard's commitment to bringing out the best in students comes from who he is and how his lived experiences have shaped him. He understands that students can overcome roadblocks to learning when they have a champion supporting them.
Teaching approach
Character development, ethical decision-making and global citizenship are as important to Richard as academic learning. He creates a safe, inclusive and accepting community, encouraging his students to share their thoughts and build on one another's ideas, and see themselves as truly capable and valuable learners.
In the classroom
- Prepares students for the digital world, exploring the intersection of message and media: for example, students examined statements in response to Colin Kaepernick's anti-racism protest, reflected on what their own statement would be and posted related precepts in the classroom for reference throughout the year.
- Uses photography to help students connect deeply with the world and each other: students take nature photos, create a portfolio and think critically about how their photographs capture places and experiences; very personal portraits of classmates are grounded in in-depth conversations about their likes and dislikes.
- Seamlessly combines the arts and English: students create, for example, thoughtful and perceptive watercolour paintings to express their thinking on song lyrics as poetry, figurative language and symbolism; mixed-media self-portraits allow students to express their personal interests and preferences.
- Fosters engagement with history through experiential learning: students research Louis Riel to prepare to re-enact his trial but without knowing the outcome; groups representing colonies present position papers for the Confederation debates, learning how to negotiate and what happens after negotiations conclude.
- Inspires critical thinking about being a global citizen, through readings about individuals effecting change through writing, and the efforts of sports teams and individual athletes to overcome adversity; students learn that being a global citizen begins with treating those in their immediate sphere with respect.
Outstanding achievements
- Provides quality learning opportunities for individual students: tailored stop-motion animation project for one student with significant learning challenges; gave high-interest assignments and online feedback to student unable to attend school; consulted Indigenous Knowledge Guide to bridge education and cultural gaps for another student.
- Inspires students to be leaders: Developed the school's breakfast and snack program but turns over day-to-day management to the Grade 8s, who arrive early to prepare the carts of food that are available to students, no questions asked; another student became the school's tech expert at Richard's urging.
- Leads by example, mentoring teacher candidates, supporting staff at another school as they set up their own breakfast program following his model, helping colleagues with technology issues and sharing resources.
Get in touch!
River Oaks Public School
2173 Munn's Avenue
Oakville ON L6H 3S9
905-842-7430
braunbergerl@hdsb.ca
http://riv.hdsb.ca/
Twitter: @ROPShdsb