Educator Of The Month: Jessica Berstein

Like many people, Jessica Berstein was inspired to become a teacher from a fellow educator – specifically, her high school English teacher for 11th and 12th grade, Mrs. Polek, who taught at Centennial High School in Howard County.

“Because of her classes, I fell in love with talking about texts and connecting it to the real world/personal experience,” said Berstein, who teaches sixth- and eighth-grade English Language Arts (ELA) at Severn River Middle School.

Polek is the reason Berstein chose English. “Her classes were so fun and made reading and writing less intimidating and more enjoyable,” Berstein said. “I wanted to do for others what she had done for me.”

Berstein, who grew up in Ellicott City, always knew she wanted to be a teacher. When she was little, she would force her younger siblings into playing school.

“I would use my dad's Xerox to run copies of homework and give my little brother detention when he misbehaved,” she said.

Fast-forward many years: Berstein resides in Baltimore and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and literature from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Arts in teaching in leadership from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She is now in her ninth year of teaching.

“I was fortunate enough to be hired at the same school (where) I completed part of my student-teaching internship,” Berstein explained. Before Severn River Middle School, she earned experience with all grade levels K-12.

“I've always had a soft spot for middle school,” she said.

Her favorite lessons are the ones where students take the lead. “I believe each student has the ability to teach others, so when students become the ones driving the conversation, it makes for the best lesson,” Berstein said.

During her classes, students participate in collaborative work with opportunities for higher-level discussion with classmates based on the text of study. Some of the highlights from her curriculum include Socratic Seminars and Philosophical Chairs discussions, extended writing tasks, as well as some creative, project-based assignments for students to best show their understanding of standards.

“My favorite lessons are where the students have their own independence to showcase their understanding versus the traditional assessment structure,” Berstein said.

Examples of these types of lessons from her eighth-graders included the podcasts they created to demonstrate their understanding of “The Outsiders” and acting for “Romeo and Juliet.”

For Berstein, it’s always a great sign during these lessons when it's time to clean up, and she hears: "Class is already over?"

In addition to student-led lessons, she believes in the power of strong relationships. “If my students feel safe and welcome, they are open to learning,” Berstein said.

The ELA educator wants her classroom to be a safe space where it's OK to make mistakes, and students are encouraged to take risks because there will be no judgment.

“I want to create the same classroom I had when I was growing up because I know how much of a difference it can make,” she said.

Berstein was among the 2024 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year nominees, and she will be honored at the 38th annual Excellence in Education awards event on May 3 at The Hall at Live! at Arundel Mills.