To be chosen best school volunteer means you work hard. And if the school you devote your time to is Lake Highlands Elementary, you work very hard. But there’s more to working hard and devoting time in a volunteer capacity. Lots of good folks do that. Bernadette Anderson, however, does it with grace, patience, good humor and complete compliance to whatever is asked of her.

There are simply too many projects that “Bernie” (as she’s known to her friends) has made happen or pitched in on in the last five years with LHE to list here. It’s how she’s completely immersed and comported herself into each job that makes her a worthy candidate. On the premise that a life being well lived is how a person is held in esteem by others, there are many who hold Bernie in high regard and have expressed that. I’m proud to share some of their thoughts on this consummate School Volunteer.

“Bernie is always willing to do whatever and replies with a ‘No problem, Sweetie,’” Robin Garner, fellow room parent, said. “She’s just always ready to pitch in when she can in her sweet, laid-back way that makes everyone comfortable and [makes] her a pleasure with whom to work.”

And third-grade teacher Juan Agudelo must have missed her this past year.

“During her year with my class, Mrs. Anderson helped every time we had a classroom party and was always here to make sure everything was taken care of. She’s awesome,” Agudelo said.

Bernie and her son, Blake, started their LHE school career in 2003. It was immediately evident to Blake’s first teacher, Sylvia Baeza-Juhasz, that she had an angel on her shoulder.

“I feel truly blessed to know her during that great year in kindergarten,” Baeza-Juhasz said. “Some time after that, I’ll never forget, she chose to be my Secret Pal and did a great job at keeping me guessing. The surprises she’d leave in the mailroom gave me that lift I needed after a difficult day.”

On a personal note, I simply can’t count the times Bernie has bailed me out or come to my rescue, no matter how jammed her schedule has been. She’s the one who’s picked up the last-minute supplies, come through with the perfect teacher gift, made the phone calls to rally the troops, stood in for someone else, and without hesitation, made sure that every child had a ride home – and a snack to boot.

This is no small tasks for a woman who’s been the primary caretaker of her mother, who took over a thriving business and continued its success, and who has always been active in her church and her neighborhood association.

Bernie’s husband, Bob, certainly agrees his wife is a busy lady.

“It seems our lives revolve so much around our children,” he said. “I know I constantly see e-mails and hear feedback on school functions and activities including PTA board positions, popcorn sales, other fundraising, etc. that Bernadette participates in. I also know when it comes to Blake’s extracurricular activities, she is always stepping up to help with parent communication, treat lists, etc. Also, in just the day-to-day activities, she is willing to watch someone else’s child or pick them up from school. I guess the common thread I see through all of this, is she is always willing to lend a hand or help someone with a need.”

While Bernadette Anderson daily proves that she is indeed the Best School Volunteer, she continually surpasses that by being the Best Volunteer, period.

“I just feel that in everything she does, in all her calls to service, her sincerity to carry out her duties is very palpable, and one can’t miss noting the warmth and affection she has for those she helps. She’s a wonderful person,” Baeza-Juhasz said. 

J.J. Pair of Lake Highlands is a Lake Highlands Elementary parent.