Meet Mrs. Andrea Bergener! Mrs. Bergener boasts 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, intervention teacher, instructional coach, and tutor. Accordingly, Mrs. Bergener has been an impactful educator and presence on campus as a math specialist and support team leader. Prior to transitioning to the support team, Mrs. Bergener taught fourth grade math and science at POP. In 2018, Mrs. Bergener was honored as a Work of Heart Award recipient by The Catholic Foundation. In addition to a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Mrs. Bergener holds a M.A. in Teaching (Science Education) from the University of Texas - Dallas. Mrs. Bergener recently completed the graduate Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) at the University of Notre Dame.
Mrs. Bergener is particularly interested in providing equal opportunities in Catholic schools for neurodivergent students and developing all students' confidence and success in mathematics. At the 2023 National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) conference, Mrs. Bergener presented "The In's and Out's of Dyslexia: Instructional Adaptations" alongside her PIE classmates as well as "Math Intervention for Exceptional Learners." (Click here to read about Mrs. Bergener and Mrs. Maureen Bowling's joint contributions as PIE classmates serving the same campus).
What motivates you to come to school every morning?
Teaching is truly a vocation given to me by God and the children are constantly pushing me to learn and grow professionally and spiritually. I love the relationships that I develop with children and their families over the years and getting to see the fruits of such as they grow up. My former students are college graduates, athletes, and parents of their own, and it is such a joy to see them thrive.
Favorite class project and/or unit?
Around Easter, I put math problems inside Easter eggs and hide them around campus. The kids love finding them and solving the problems!
Any hidden talents?
I used to be an educator at the zoo and learned how to handle some exotic animals.