Bernadette’s journey in education began in 1982 when she joined the New Haven Public School System (NHPS) as a 5th-grade classroom teacher at Hill Central. Over the years, she steadily climbed the ranks, demonstrating her passion and dedication to the field. Her impressive career includes notable milestones such as becoming a Staff Developer at Dwight School from 1989 to 1992, followed by a promotion to Central Office. In 1993, she achieved another promotion, this time as Assistant Principal at Truman Elementary School. Two years later, in 1995, Bernadette took on the role of principal at Timothy Dwight Elementary School (now the Amistad Academy) in the Dwight/Edgewood neighborhood.
In 2006 she added another feather in her cap by becoming the inaugural principal at Ross-Woodward School, a K-8 institution. Not one to shy away from unique challenges, Bernadette assumed the position of principal at a school specifically designed to support pregnant teens while also establishing an on-site child care center to facilitate their education. Her achievements didn’t go unnoticed, as she earned recognition from the Boston Globe newspaper magazine as a “Game Changer” in the region while serving as principal at Polly McCabe School.
Bernadette’s educational journey is deeply rooted in the NHPS, where she pursued her own academic growth. She earned her BA degree in Early Child Education from Southern Connecticut State University and followed it up with an MA in Education from Sacred Heart University. Her commitment to continuous improvement led her to obtain a 6th Year degree in Administration and Supervision.
After a fulfilling career in education, Bernadette retired from the NHPS in 2013. Today, she finds joy in her role as a mother and grandmother. Additionally, embracing her entrepreneurial spirit, Bernadette has ventured into the world of online commerce, delighting in selling new and slightly loved handbags clientele.
