coretime

Simple Straight forward Focused Fun Greetings! I have over 16 years as an educator. In addition to teaching prek-2nd grade, I've also worked as a published curriculum designer, administrator, and a early language/literacy interventionist. You can be assured my lesson designs are both explicit, direct, and engaging. They integrate CCS subject area content, especially science.

Simple Straight forward Focused Fun My style is positive, engaging and effective. I believe any child can learn, just not in the same way, or in the same way. Research in education supports everything I do. I have integrated multiple learning styles, in a direct format with many catchy chants, and active participation techniques. I've included simple child friendly targets, labeled bloom's leveled questions, and Marzano's academic content vocabulary , and differentiation in my read aloud/story based lessons. I believe in high interest texts to capture engagement. Often, core curriculum's move too slowly, and do not emphasize high priority skills enough. When we focus on the highest foundational priorities, and target those throughout the year, then amazing results happen. The child is handed the keys they need to unlock the next door, and they feel capable of doing it. It is my belief that multiple forms of assessment are useful, but daily formative is by far the most powerful to move students. Frequent checks for understanding are built into my lessons, without heavy recording time.

Published Author

M.Ed Loyola College 30 credits to an M.A. in Educational Leadership K-8 Multiple Subject Credentialed, Early Childhood Endorsement, Structured English Language Immersion Endorsed, Administrative Credentialed, AMI Montessori Certified ( ages 3-6 primary)

“ Her quiet energy, passion, and resolve for excellence are impressive.” Rene Diaz-Lefevre, Ph.D Multiple Intelligence Psychologist, Colleague of Dr. Howard Gardner - Recent book Multiple Intellegence's Around the World. Ms. Bernier’s respect is overflowing in her classroom it is amazing…Christina is a competent, intelligent person, as well as an organized, professional master teacher…if she can reach and teach as many youngsters as possible the world will be a better place.” “ Christina strives to do everything for the betterment of all children.” Elissa Cassavant “Christina has a consummate knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and embodies the most collegial and highly engaging style of school leadership I have observed.” Gaye Leo, Ph.D . _______________________________________________________ Mike Schmoker, Ph.D - FOCUS – Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Learning, Columbia Falls, MT (3 hours) 2012 • Anthony Muhammad, Ph.D –Professional Learning Communities, Columbia Falls, MT (6 hours) 2012 • Unpacking the Common Core – Columbia Falls, MT 2012 • Singapore Math, Tricia Solerno, Scottsdale, AZ (6 hours), 2011 • Multiple Intelligences, Dr. Rene Diaz-Lefebvre , Scottsdale, AZ (3 hours), 2010 • Whole Brain Teaching, Chris Biffle, Phoenix, AZ (3 hours), 2010 • Reading First Conference, Tucson, AZ (24 hours), 2006 • Conscious Discipline, Ginny Luther, Mesa, AZ 2006 • Leadership Academy , Phoenix, AZ (32 hours) 2006 • Center for Cognitive Coaching, Phoenix AZ (48 hours) 2006 • Leaps and Bounds, Train the Trainer /Kinder Readiness for Parents • Arizona State University (4 hours), 2006 • Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model • English Language Learning, Scottsdale, AZ (24 hours), 2006 • Critical Issues in Early Childhood, Arizona Department of Education (6 hours), 2005 • Data Disaggregation , Phoenix, AZ (40 hours), 2005 • County Reading Specialist Trained/Arizona Department of Education/Reading First • DIBELS, LETRS, Sopris West, Dr. Louisa Moats, Sedona Arizona (40 hours), 2004 • Reading/Literacy Coaching, WestEd/ Reading First conference (16 hours), 2004 • Early Childhood Institute, Linking Brain Development to Early Childhood • Zero to Three, Southwest Human Development (6 hours), 2002 • A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Freta Parkes Mesa AZ (5 hours) 2001 • Child Care Licensure, Facilities Training, Arizona Department of Health Services, (4 hours) 2001 • Positive Classroom Instruction/Fred Jones Mesa AZ (56 hours) 2000-2001 • Mapping and Ecological Site Survey of School Grounds/Schoolyard Habitat Program of the Southwest Center of Education/ Natural Environment (SCENE) Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, (8 hours) 2001 • Healthy Families Arizona Training /Basic Core Family Assessment (40 hours), 1999 Workshop Presenter • Yes We Can! Writing in Kindergarten, Regional Reading Conference, 2011 • Explicit/Direct and Effective Instruction (PJXXIII), 2010 • Increasing Cognitive Rigor in Lesson Plans (PJXXIII), 2010 • Early Literacy training (Phoenix Elementary) 2007 • Evidence Based Vocabulary Instruction (Phoenix Elementary) 2007 • Teaching Early Language and Literacy (ASU), 2006, 2007, 2008 • Conscious Discipline Training (Phoenix Elementary, ASU), 2007, 2008 • Montessori Unwrapped (ASU College of Education), 2007, 2008 Community Arizona Early Childhood Task Force/Consortium Governor’s Task Force for Professional Development Papers or Publications • TELL Teaching Early Language and Literacy Curriculum. Arizona State University, 2008 • Association Montessori Internationale Accreditation Review and Crosswalk, 2003 submitted to State Board of Education in efforts to provide low income, at risk children access to AMI accredited Montessori schools in the state of Arizona. • Be Smart About Play, Arizona Department of Education, 2003 • Environmental Justice Study: Researching the disproportionate number of hazardous waste generators in south Phoenix, or low income areas as compared to higher SES areas. The study resulted in a 25,000 grant from the EPA Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 1996