Mrs. Amber Watts, Middle School Teacher
Mrs. Watts loves teaching middle school. “They still have a lot of the silliness you see in children,” she explained, “and in the midst of that, are trying to fit in with peers.” She believes it’s one of the most difficult times in young peoples’ lives, and the effort to find a place in the group can lead to comments, whether intentional or benign, that can be hurtful.
“I saw a lot of that at other schools,” Mrs. Watts said reflectively. “In contrast, the healthy social aspect we have here is one of the biggest benefits to a St. Bernard Middle School education.”
She said middle schoolers still do “goofy things,” and need correction. “But here you don’t see the bullying. Our kids still have an innocence about them.”
St. Bernard’s culture and expectations are different. “Within the student body, they know it’s not okay to make fun of classmates. They bring a Christian attitude into their relationships.”
Mrs. Watts says the school’s culture of support “definitely impacts academic performance.” She points to educational research indicating students with unmet emotional or social needs don’t learn as well. “Because those needs are met in our students, they are free to learn.”
She says small classes also help. State certified in English, Social Studies, and Art, she joined the St. Bernard faculty in 2022. “I think teachers everywhere want to invest in their students. But before I came here, 180 kids came through my door every day. You can’t possibly know that many students on a personal level.”
That led to being on the verge of burnout. “The reason I went into teaching was to influence young people. When I worked at the public school, it was all about testing. Here, I am able to develop critical thinkers and good human beings. Yes, we learn English, but it’s more than that. We educate the whole child.”
My faith in the future of humanity has been restored.
With a smile, she leans forward. “My faith in the future of humanity has been restored. Even when I have to correct them, they have such good hearts. That is a breath of fresh air. My child is only four, but this is where I want her to come.”