Bernard Middle School teacher named a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year
Posted on 07/07/2020
Bernard Middle School teacher Jefferson Stephens has been named one of ten honorees for Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year for the St. Louis region. The distinction means he is now eligible to submit an application for Missouri State Teacher of the Year.
Stephens is a sixth-grade Patriot Academy teacher at Bernard where he teaches a blend of English language arts and social studies. Earlier this year, he was named Bernard’s Teacher of the Year and the Mehlville School District Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year.
“This honor is the result of collaboration and hard work by our staff, parents and students to create an engaging learning environment,” Stephens said. “I’m honored to receive this award on behalf of Mehlville School District and my Bernard Middle School family.”
Stephens has taught at Bernard Middle School for the past three years. Prior to his work at Bernard, Stephens taught at Lift for Life Academy. He has a reputation for being a classroom innovator, incorporating inquiry-based and transdisciplinary instruction, project-based learning and technology in his teaching practices.
“Mr. Stephens always pushes himself to discover and implement new strategies that will positively impact student learning,” said Dr. Jeff Bresler, Assistant Superintendent, Supervision of Schools. “He is a true agent of change that every student, parent, colleague and administrator wishes to have in their school and in their district.”
Stephens and the other Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year honorees for the St. Louis region will be honored at a ceremony on July 20.