Education Winners

Adair Bernys

Winner – Education

Once a week for nearly a decade, Adair Bernys has entered into the classrooms, minds and hearts of the students at The Etobicoke Children’s Centre – inspiring in them “a love and thirst for learning.”

A retired teacher, Bernys worked for 37 years between Valleyfield Junior School and John English Junior Middle School before taking her leave in 1998. But it’s been her volunteer work since, with the sometimes troubled children at the ECC, that has proven a rewarding high point in her career even long past her retirement.

“To see the kids gain confidence both in me and themselves is what’s most rewarding,” she said recently.

“At first, they don’t quite trust me in the beginning, but that trust grows, and as it does, so does the risk-taking with their learning. It’s a slow process, it takes time. You can’t be judgmental, you can’t get fazed.”

The Etobicoke Children’s Centre is a Children’s Mental Health Centre serving children 12 and under who are experiencing emotional or behavioural problems; difficulties with family and peer relationships; trauma from abuse, family violence, or loss; family problems; parenting challenges; difficulties at school/day care; delays in communication, motor and learning skills; and autism.

In a letter recommending her for the Urban Hero Awards, Bernys’ nominator, who wished to remain anonymous, detailed her commitment to one student in particular – a young boy who completed his treatment program at the centre, then successfully reintegrated into the public school system despite the odds stacked against him.

“This young man came to us at the age of 7 with a very significant and troubled history. Adair began to work with him right away and under her gentle guidance, he realized that he could read and that he liked learning,” the nominator wrote.

Jarrett Harris, one of the teachers who works with Adair, said her influence has been equally beneficial with each and every one of the children she has worked with:

“All of them have increased at least one grade level in the time she’s spent with them,” he said.
“I can’t say enough about her. She’s so giving. And as a new teacher myself, she’s been such a help to me – she’s a plethora of knowledge.”

Obviously highly respected by the teachers at The Etobicoke Children’s Centre, it is Bernys’ genuineness, respect for and commitment to the children she teaches that makes her stand out.

A humbled Bernys said the feeling is mutual.

“Just seeing the staff and youth therapists, watching their patience and understanding, is inspiring,” she said.
“Sometimes things happen, and they just cope. They don’t lord the incidents over the child, and by the next day, it’s forgotten.”

Armed with homebaked cookies, a smile, and a ready patience to listen, Bernys has been able to tear down even the most defensive of walls to instill in those lucky enough to call her their teacher a love for learning.