Vanstory Hills Elementary Announces Teacher of the Year

VanStory Hills Elementary School has named 4th-grade teacher Tammy Bernier as its Teacher of the Year.

Bernier has worked at the school for five years.

VanStory Hills, centered in one on the older neighborhoods in Fayetteville, is prime choice for elementary level education for military families. With a staff of 48 teachers, the school is relatively small in size, but it's large on resources, community involvement and vision for its students.

Bernier has a passion for teaching 4th grade because as a child, that was the year she endured many hardships, including losing both of her parents in a tragic accident. Her teacher helped her through that rough year and inspired her to keep trying, yet let her grieve while still challenging her in the classroom to help her turn her life around.

"Since day one at Vanstory Hills, it's been a special school and the teachers all support each other like a family," Bernier said. "We have a high level of parental involvement, and it makes a huge difference in the children and in the classroom." 

Bernier said communication is the key when dealing with military-connected families. She likes to know when a parent is leaving so she can better help the students and meet their needs.

VanStory Hills has a variety of clubs for kids to choose from, including "The Deployment Club" for students with a parent deployed. The group is led by Counselor Terri Darden as a safe place for kids to share their feelings and anxieties.

Bernier's class has kept deployed parents involved by having the class make cards and send well wishes afar. 

Parents and students alike have sung Bernier's praises for her involvement in students' lives and her nurturing spirit.

"When she would teach, she would teach out of love, not because she had to for a paycheck. The love always showed, because it was real," said Harrison Spivey, a student from her class last year.

"Truly she meant the world to me and my family this past year," said Jennifer Spivey, a military spouse and classroom volunteer. "Ms. Bernier was a gift to my son with the way she chooses to educate, and he always felt safe, no matter what." 

"For the first half of the year, I thought my son was a favorite because she was attending all of his soccer games and baseball games, but after talking to other parents from the classroom, I discovered she had been attending the sporting events for all her students. She has a way of making all feel equally special and confident. That is her gift".  

Spivey referenced a famous quote by Elbert Hubbard: "What people need and what they want may be very different... Teachers are those who educate the people to appreciate the things they need."

Bernier will advance to the next round of formal interviews for the county Teacher of the Year.