Webster Alum Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Jessee Berman and Mark Garascia

By Yupa Saisanan, EdD and Jordan Elliott

Jessica Berman, a recent graduate from the School of Education (SOE) at Webster University was presented the Missouri Teacher Leaders of America Certificate of Excellence (MTLT) for the academic year 2023-2024 by Mark Garascia, member of the Missouri Milken Educators. Garascia is a 2009 School of Education alum and received the National Milken Educator Award for his work at Hancock Place High School where he teaches.

Berman graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in World Language Education (K-12, Spanish) and is currently a Spanish teacher for the Saint Louis Public School District. When asked what the Missouri Milken Educator Awards were looking for in a teacher to receive the MTLT, Garascia said, “We were looking for teachers with the "it" factor. Teachers who stood out in the classroom that you would want to educate our future students across the state.” When it came to how he wanted this award to impact future students, Garascia said, “One of the perks of winning the MTLT award includes receiving mentorship from a Missouri Milken Educator. The Missouri Milken Chapter mentors the awardees by using their expertise and experience to help them stay in the profession and continue to stand out.”

In reflecting on this accolade, Berman stated, “This award is unexpected evidence of where I currently am on my journey to becoming the type of teacher I aspire to be. Knowing that someone who was only in my classroom for a short while could recognize the effort and detail I put into planning and implementing my lessons, and that the results were generally successful, was a huge relief. It meant that I am at least on the right path — I am showing characteristics of what my ideal classroom could be: having my students engaged, having fun, and learning. “I am honored to receive this award and the opportunities that come with it. This award has motivated me to try even harder and reach even further.”

When asked what was next in her career, Berman said, “I have been contracted with Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) for the next two years. I was recently hired at Central Visual Performing Arts (CVPA) High School as their sole foreign language teacher. I'm my own department chair ... I'm already moving up in the world!” Berman plans to take a gap year before continuing her education. She has aspiration to get a master's in English as a second language (ESL) or a similar degree, a master's in Japanese language or culture and a PhD in a Spanish-related field. After teaching for several years in a high school and earning additional degrees, Berman would like to transition into being a college professor.

Garascia reflected on The National Milken Educator Award and his effort behind MTLT Certificate of Excellence and said, “It is a big step for the Missouri Milken Chapter to support future teachers in Missouri by identifying and nurturing the best new teachers the state has to offer.

Our hope is that these awardees become leaders in the field of education at the building level, district level, and ultimately regionally or nationally as well.”