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Clarence High School Teacher Named Chamber’s ‘Educator of the Year’

Clarence High School Teacher Named Chamber’s ‘Educator of the Year’
Updated

For Clarence High School math teacher Jennifer Berndt, time in her classroom is more than lessons in subjects like algebra and geometry. It’s about building relationships, and sharing a few laughs, to motivate students to be their best.

“It’s always been my connection with students that’s inspired me,” she said.

Berndt was recently named the Clarence Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year, and she will receive the award on March 20 at Samuel's Grande Manor, 8750 Main St, Williamsville. 

Berndt said she was inspired to become a teacher when she was in fifth grade, as she helped a classmate struggling with a math problem. 

“The teacher asked, ‘Can you help?’” she said. “From that point on, I loved that I could help others,” she said.

Moving from Tonawanda to Clarence for her junior year of High School, Berndt graduated in 1989. She began her studies at Erie Community College before attending Buffalo State University to complete her undergraduate and graduate studies. Among the family inspirations through her time in school was her grandfather Irving Ehmke, who she said encouraged her not to give up during a challenging first year of college. 

Coming out of school, her first opportunity to be a teacher came at her alma mater in 1994.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Berndt said.

Through her more than three decades in education, Berndt has taught a wide range of math subjects, and she currently teaches algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Among the highlights Berndt recounted from her work is seeing students find professional success, or hearing students tell her “You’re the reason I passed math.”

Beyond the classroom, she has served as co-advisor of the school’s chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions, which gives her additional opportunities to connect and share positive life lessons with students. In November, the club held its Sweating for Turkeys event, raising enough money to present turkeys and gift cards to nine local families in need. 

“It gives the students a place to get together and have fun,” she said. “We can show them you can have fun without being at the party on a Friday night.” 

George “Trey” Gardner, a High School guidance counselor who has served as co-advisor for the club, praised Berndt for having a “kind heart.”

“She has a great sense of humor,” he said. “She’s sharp, she’s quick, and that allows her to build really strong relationships with the students.”

Berndt said she was flattered by the recognition, and that she was still excited to be a teacher.

“I’m still learning,” she said. “I’m still developing ideas with other teachers."

Berndt and her husband, Tim, who met as students at Clarence High School, have two daughters, Mikayla and Morgan, who both graduated from the High School.

This is the second year that the Chamber has presented the award. In the award’s first year, the Chamber recognized Clarence Middle School’s C. Douglas and Heidi Kohler. For more information about the Chamber, visit https://clarencechamber.org/

Jennifer Berndt teaches math in her classroom at Clarence High School on January 6, 2025.