Bernadette Picco

School: Cedar Canyon Elementary, Northwest Allen County Schools

Grade/subject teaching: Kindergarten (all day)

Education: Northern Illinois University, bachelor’s degree in education with kindergarten endorsement; Butler University, master’s degree in education with reading endorsement

Years teaching: 33

City born and raised: Spring Valley, Ill.

Current hometown: Fort Wayne

Family: Married to Andy Picco; four adult children; eight grandchildren

Last book read: “Heaven is For Real” by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

Favorite teacher: My freshman English teacher, Miss McDonald. Reflecting on her approach to teaching literature reminds me of how progressive she was in that 1960’s era of education. She inspired her students with a passionate respect for literature by guiding us to understand that what you read has the potential to impact your vision of life in the present and the future. She initiated a sense of passion for learning as well as teaching that I still carry in my heart every day with my students.

Favorite class in school: English, even though I found it difficult in high school.

Favorite teaching memory: In 1980, as I began my second year of teaching kindergarten for Northwest Allen, I stood before my class and saw the face of my own child, Melinda. At that moment, my commitment to being the absolute best teacher that I could be was enhanced to a level of passion that I hold in my heart every day when I walk into my classroom. Today I see the face of my daughter’s child, Rebecca, who is in my class this year. What I have educationally wanted for my own child and grandchild has become what I have wanted for all the children that I have taught through the years: a passion for learning in an independent, lifelong-learning way.

What is the biggest challenge to teaching kindergarteners? Guiding children who are 5 and 6 to grasp the fact that how you approach the opportunities of each day is a matter of personal choices. That being consistently respectful and responsible in mind, body and spirit, so that you can apply your learning intelligences in a successful way each day, is key to feeling excited about learning. In essence, helping each child become a “lifelong learner.”

Nominated by: Karen Durnell, substitute and former teacher

Reason for nomination: “Whenever I’ve been in Mrs. Picco’s classroom, her lesson plans are great to follow. Her kids come in ready to learn. They know what to do and they do it. She has a sense of humor with them, yet they know when it’s time to get down to business. She’s so organized, and I think that’s really important for a teacher. They have fun in there, too. Two of my children had her. I wish my grandchildren could have had her, too.”

– Devon Haynie