Experience

• Quizmaster Entertainment

  Master Quizmaster

  Quizmaster Entertainment provides innovative, quiz and game-based experiences for retirement communities, corporate trainings, fundraisers, bars, and restaurants. Using British pub Quiz Nights as a foundational model, Quizmaster introduces teaching and training pedagogy, marketing and fundraising tools, and a sensitivity for working with seniors to help make trainings more effective, fundraisers more successful, and retirement communities more enriching.

• San Diego Miramar College

  Instructor/Professor

  Teaching Public Speaking Skills to High School students taking college courses for college credit. Emphasizing whole person development, empowerment, and each individual's potential to make a difference.

• NewSchool of Architecture + Design

  Instructor

  • Created and developed Business Communication course from learning objectives to lesson plans.
  • Dramatic learning outcomes led to advisory role in school’s national presentation competitions.
  • Enjoy superior student feedback: “Almost at a loss for words to describe the benefits from this class.”

• California Art Institute

  Instructor

  Developed curricula, lesson plans, rubrics, and grading systems for the following accredited college courses: Effective Speaking; Career Development; Introduction to Success; Leadership and Organizational Development; and Internship.
  • Introduced theatrical elements to class activities, including singing, dancing, joke-telling, and other tools to create a dynamic, energetic experience with the intent of enhancing information retention and class participation.
  • Create class culture of high expectations, particularly regarding punctuality and an innovative system for supporting punctuality.
  • Classroom culture emphasizes student peer feedback; total person development; and high expectations within a supportive, flexible environment.
  • Enjoy high course evaluations (per the IDEA survey) and positive student feedback, with one student writing, “Bernie is by far the best teacher I have ever had in my entire life.”

• Platt College

  Instructor

  Developed curricula, lesson plans, rubrics, and grading systems for the following accredited college courses: Public Speaking; Technical Writing; English Composition; Marketing; Marketing Communications; Success Strategies; and Career Development.
  • Created transformational course called “Success Skills” which guides the creation of a Personal Mission Statement connecting each student’s academic experience with their inner motivations and identified values. This two-week course has been credited with having had a positive impact on the culture of the college, leading to a more supportive, focused and motivated student body.
  • Introduced innovative course design practices which included parallel team and individual projects and project-centered classes allowing for application of course principles;
  • Use student-led presentations on assigned reading as a catalyst for class discussion;
  • Explicitly create a clear, explicit role for the instructor focusing on leading the process for the assigned project and introducing materials from professional experience.
  • Classes are known for a high level of student satisfaction, with one student commenting “Bernie’s class took us places we couldn’t have reached on our own.”