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Marie Bernard |
Biography
Marie Bourgeois Bernard is the Assistant
Principal at Holy Ghost School. Marie
is originally from Baton Rouge where she attended St Pius X and St.
Alphonsus Elementary Schools. She
attended Redemptorist throughout her junior and high school years.
After graduation, Marie attended L.S.U. full time for one year
and then part-time while working at a full time job in the insurance
industry. After her
marriage to George Bernard in September of 1989, she and her new
husband lived in Richmond, Virginia and Opelika Alabama.
Family and friends were a beckoning call for George and Marie
to return to Louisiana, so they came home where Marie began substitute
teaching while waiting for the spring semester to begin at
Southeastern. This
temporary teaching assignment opened the door to Marie becoming an
elementary teacher. So, Marie sought her elementary education degree and
eventually her Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an
option as a Reading Specialist.
Marie has served as a temporary fourth grade teacher at Hammond Eastside Upper, a third grade teacher at Champ Cooper Elementary School for six years and a third/fourth grade teacher at Albany Upper Elementary School for seven years, a fourth grade teacher and writing teacher at Holy Ghost.
Continuing education is important to Marie in her growth as an educator. She has been trained in all domains of Project Read, Intech, Science Intech, Accelerated Reading, Poverty in the Classroom, Dyslexia Screener for Tangipahoa Parish, Kagan Cooperative Learning Inservice, Write for the Beginning and Write for the Future, and she has attended LACUE conferences for several years. Marie constantly seeks out a variety of workshops each year to broaden her scope as an educator and to fulfill her GLEEM modules set forth by the state.
Marie feels that being an educational leader is a vital role that teachers must fulfill. She has served on the Livingston Parish G.L.E. Curriculum Committee, Presented at Albany Upper Teacher In-service Day – LACUE, Presented at Rapides Parish School System on curriculum integration, Presented at Livingston Parish Share Fair – Math Investigations, and Presented at Albany Upper – Teachers Scholar Program, and Presented at Holy Ghost Catholic School - Twenty Strategies to Improve Student Mastery.
Marie has received several awards and nominations throughout her career. She has received Albany Upper Teacher of the Year two years, nominated for Disney Distinguished Educator Award, Jaycee Key Person Award, recipient of Bell South Grant, QSM Grant, Louisiana Learn Grant, and former 8G Grant team member. She has been deemed a Highly Qualified Teacher by the state of Louisiana.
Marie has served as the co-sponsor of the Green Hornet Garden Club at Albany Upper for several years. The club’s philosophy is to provide a family oriented organization that teaches children many aspects about gardening and the importance of community involvement. Since its inception, the Green Hornet Garden Club has grown by leaps and bounds. The club was responsible for seeking funds to create outdoor classrooms, which include a weather garden, science garden, social living garden, butterfly garden, and a seating area for students. The club visits Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Alabama every year. Marie was a former member of the Hammond Jaycees. She played a major role in the planning and operations of the Hammond Jaycees by serving as a board member as well as holding several offices. She spearheaded the concession stand, which provided financing for Little Conference football for under privileged children. Marie’s teaching skills have also been put to use at Holy Ghost. She taught Children’s Church for two years as well as helped with the summer Vacation Bible School.
Marie has been married to George Bernard for nineteen years. George was a claims adjuster for Allstate for fifteen years. He is now an Allstate agent in Hammond. George and Marie have two children with one attending St. Thomas Aquinas High School and one attending Holy Ghost.
Marie looks forward to her career change. She knows that God has changed her path and looks forward to working in an environment where God and her Catholic faith are an integral part of the school atmosphere and curriculum.