Heather Bertelson grew up in Battle Creek. She attended Springfield Elementary and Middle School, Battle Creek Central High School, and eventually earned her teaching degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s in Reading from Western Michigan University.
Bertelson is in her 21st year of teaching and her eleventh at A2 STEAM. She has taught 4th grade for the majority of her career and says it is absolutely her favorite.
Prior to teaching at A2 STEAM, Bertelson taught at a STEM school in Battle Creek for 10 years. Bertelson and her husband, Chad, have two children, Jude, a seventh grade at STEAM, and Lu, a freshman at Skyline. The Bertelsons live in the Northside neighborhood.
Colleague Kelly Newton, a fourth-grade teacher at A2 STEAM, praises Bertelson for her dedicated approach to creating an inclusive classroom.
“Heather goes above and beyond to understand each student’s unique needs, adapting her teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles,” says Newton. “Her enthusiasm for teaching makes learning fun, and her innovative lesson plans encourage curiosity and critical thinking. She is patient, compassionate, and always willing to lend a listening ear, making her students feel seen and heard. Her commitment to fostering academic and personal growth helps her students build confidence and develop a love for learning that lasts well beyond elementary school.”
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My previous teachers! I grew up in Battle Creek and had some outstanding educators who really pushed me to my full potential. I hope to do the same every day.
How has your teaching philosophy evolved over your career?
I am a very different educator now. I see my highest value in facilitating conversations, learning, and exploration. I used to think it was my job to teach students all the things. Now I know that we are learning together and I learn so much from my students every day.
What was the most challenging aspect of transitioning from Battle Creek to Ann Arbor?
Finding my community. I was so blessed to move into the STEAM neighborhood and create a life right here. My children started at STEAM in kindergarten. Jude is heading into 7th grade at STEAM and Lu is headed into her first year at Skyline. I love living and teaching in this community.
How has your Master’s in Reading degree influenced your teaching approach?
Your master’s feels so much different than your undergrad work. It is a chance to really dive into an area of interest and try all the things in your classroom. I learned so much about teaching students how to read through systematic, structured literacy. I use this method when teaching new math, science, and social studies concepts as well. It is all about finding out what they need, what they already know, and working together to move them on their path of understanding.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your students?
Be curious. About life, the world, and the people around you. Sometimes in the hustle of the day, it is easy to just keep moving forward. My students remind me daily of the joy of curiosity.
How do you incorporate STEAM concepts into your classroom?
STEAM is all about integrating learning and showing students the connections between concepts and how they connect to the world. When we start a project, the momentum starts with what the students know and want to know. Then we use discreet teaching and exploration to find the answers to our questions. It is an authentic learning experience that gives students background information and deepens their understanding.
What do you like about teaching at AAPS, and A2 STEAM in particular?
The community, collaboration, and care of our staff, students, and family. STEAM is a special place and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
Can you describe a project or lesson that exemplifies your STEAM teaching approach?
Sure can! It was called the Pet Project and we did it for Expo a few years ago. The science standards were 4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction AND 4-LS1-2. Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways. The goal of the project was to get a class pet. Students worked in groups to determine animals that would make good class pets. They then created information presentations on why their animal is the best choice. Everyone who came to Expo voted. The end result was that all three classes got pets. We have a super cute hamster named Pepper!
What skills do you think are most important for teachers to develop in today’s educational landscape?
Flexible, data-driven instruction that meets the students where they are. As teachers, our job is to meet students in the middle and help move them forward on their journey of exploration and learning.
How has your experience as a data coach impacted your classroom practices?
When you work as a data coach, you impact the teachers in a school which results in all students being positively impacted as well. When you keep the data at the forefront, it allows honest conversations about strengths and next steps. It isn’t about a gut feeling, what does the data show?
What advice would you give to new teachers just starting their careers?
Find a mentor who does something you want to learn to do. Find many mentors. Look for those exciting moments your colleagues speak of because that shows you what they excel in. Learn from them. And as you spend time in your own classroom doing all the things, relish the beautiful moments and embrace the mistakes. We learn from our missteps. Lean in when they happen. And finally, continue to do things outside of school that bring you joy. That will help you bring that joy into your classroom.
How do you stay motivated and excited about teaching after 20 years?
When you teach at a PBL school, every year, every moment is different. I get to experience new groups of students engaging and interacting with our projects. Also, as I mentioned before, being a part of the STEAM neighborhood makes new year and new students extra special. What siblings will I have this year?
How do you adapt your teaching methods to meet individual student needs?
As much as I can, I make the classroom about them. As I learn about the students, I ask them to tell me what they need. I ask their parents to tell me what they need. Then it is my job to find those things.
What role do you think technology plays in education, and how do you integrate it into your lessons?
Technology is a tool to deepen our understanding, see things that we might not have in real life, and show off our incredible work. At STEAM, specifically in 4th grade, we use technology just like the other tools that we have at our disposal. There is a time and place for a pencil, chart paper, reference book, etc. We want students to understand that technology is a tool for their learning.
Favorite podcasts, websites, movies:
This American Life and This Day in Esoteric Political History are two of my fav podcasts. I read a lot. I read 150 books last year. I like historical fiction and mysteries.
If you hadn’t gone into teaching, what do you think you’d be doing now?
Nursing or social work—people-focused occupations.
Looking ahead, what goals do you have for your teaching career in the next five years?
Oh goodness! Still in my classroom doing all the things. I am still so satisfied in my current position that I don’t want to do anything else.
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