After she stepped away from coaching swimming and became a health club’s aquatics manager, Michelle Zimmerman-Bernardi noticed she missed the teaching aspect of her former profession. So, in 2015, she took a job as a teaching assistant at Yankee Ridge Elementary School in her hometown of Urbana.
Zimmerman-Bernardi then went back to school to earn her master’s degree in in early-childhood and special education, and in 2019, she landed back at Yankee Ridge, where she teaches kindergarten.
“The first day of school,” Urbana School District administrator Christina Cail-Lewandowski said, “she set the tone of high expectations by building community; modeling and demonstrating the behavior she wants to see her students doing; speaking to students in a calm, warm voice; acknowledging her students’ likes; getting to know her students; and having high student engagement by the questions she asked them, such as, ‘What kind of ice cream is your favorite?’ The students were collaborating, smiling at one another, giggling and correcting their own behavior. It truly was a joy to witness.”
I find my work important because … every day is an opportunity to help a young scholar feel seen, heard, safe and encouraged.
I became a teacher because … I love working with children and seeing them grow, learn and be kind humans. As a teacher, I want to leave an impact on the community I grew up in.
My favorite/most unique lesson that I teach is … One of my favorite lessons that I teach is at the end of each school year; my students and I paint “kindness rocks.” We read a story called “Scribble Stones” by Diane Alber and discuss the importance of sharing kindness with others.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … a child learns how to do something for the first time. Seeing that little “light bulb” turn on when the skill or concept they’ve been practicing finally clicks. Another moment is when I get to witness moments of strong community within our classroom. Seeing our scholars take care of each other’s feelings and needs just fills my heart with so much joy.
I keep students engaged by … singing, dancing and listening to their ideas.
Something else I’m passionate about is … coaching swimming. I have been coaching for the past 23 years in some capacity, and it has made me a better teacher. Seeing the athletes I work with reach their goals, persevere through challenges and go on to be leaders as adults is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a coach.
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … My favorite teacher was my fifth-grade teacher at Thomas Paine, who also happens to be my dad. He fostered my love of science and hands-on learning that are a very big part of my teaching practice today.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … still working in education in some capacity.
— ANTHONY ZILIS