DISTRICT 212 TEACHER ONE OF TEN FINALISTS FOR TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Valarie Berger, a family and consumer science teacher at West Leyden, is one of ten finalists for the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year award. The winner will be named at the Those Who Excel Banquet to be held on October 28 in Normal.

Regarding her nomination, Berger says it is an honor to be recognized as one of ten finalists and she is humbled by the acknowledgment. But she adds that she is not alone in her endeavors.

"It takes a village, and Leyden has many teachers that work very hard and give above and beyond what is expected," she says. "All of us are as much students as we are teachers, and we keep learning to maximize our classroom experiences."

Currently Berger teaches a variety of culinary classes including culinary basics, pastry chef, cake decorating, cuisine chef, advanced catering and advanced catering independent study. This school year she is celebrating 33 years as a teacher noting that she has been at West Leyden for her entire career as an educator.

During her early years at Leyden Berger taught food preparation and independent living classes as well as a class in building relationships. After awhile she began teaching math classes as well, and it was at that point that she had a revelation. She realized that when she used a culinary skill to teach a math concept, the students were more motivated to learn. Armed with that knowledge, she obtained a master's degree in math education to expand her skills and put them to use in the classroom.

Then she went to work expanding the school's culinary program. Because of Berger's efforts, culinary students create menus, prepare food and cater events for as many as 800 people. In addition, her students host a coffee bar during the school year. The project raises thousands of dollars for various charities while teaching students how to manage a business from inventory to marketing and accounting.

Berger, who is certified as a food service sanitation manager, also is responsible for helping students obtain a food handling license and food service sanitation manager certification.

A multi-qualified instructor, Berger earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in family and consumer education and a minor in mathematics from Northern Illinois University; a Master of Arts in mathematics from DePaul University; and a Master of Arts in curriculum and technology educational reform from the University of Illinois. She also is certified to teach driver's education and is a Google certified instructor.

The 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Those Who Excel Banquet slated for Saturday, October 28, at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal.