Two ideas have been critical to Julie Bernsen’s approach to teaching. Make each child feel that they matter and instill the concept that doing your best leads to success.
It’s been a winning formula for the Traver School music teacher as Bernsen has had 37 students selected to perform for the Tulare-Kings County Junior High Honor Band during her 12 years.
“I have had 12 glorious years teaching music at Traver,” Bernsen said during a recent phone interview.
However, her time at Traver has come to an end as Bernsen, 61, has decided to retire from teaching.
“It was not an easy decision,” she said “there were a lot of tears.”
Bernsen and husband of 40 years, Dennis, will continue to live in Kingsburg with their son, Eric.
“People have told me they are going to miss me, but they will be seeing me,” Bernsen said. “I will have 36 Traver students who are going on to Kingsburg High and I have made a commitment to Mike Schofield [KHS band director] to be there one day a week to do whatever he needs me to do.”
Bernsen’s idea of retirement may actually keep her busier than ever.
She is being considered for a position with the American Queen Steamboat Company. Bernsen would be the vocalist for a swing band for the steamboat.
“They are interested in me,” she said. “I’m going back to my first love of performing.”
Her new gig would have her performing during "cruises" from Memphis to New Orleans.
“It looks like a hoot,” the mezzo-soprano said.
The opportunity would be a continuation of her own Big Band group called Julie Noe & Company. [More information can be found at ?julienoeandcompany.com?.]
Her time would be divided between singing and helping out with her husband’s bustling crop dusting business. The cruise job doesn’t begin until next year, so Bernsen will have plenty of time to spend with her family.
She’s confident another successful music teacher will take over the position at Traver School.
“The program is in a good place.” Bernsen said. “It will absolutely continue.”
Steve Ramirez is superintendent of Traver Joint School District, which is a single kindergarten through eighth grade school. In an interview in 2013, Ramirez was asked about Bernsen’s affect on the school and students.
“Mrs. Bernsen loves each of her students unconditionally and she pushes them to achieve more than they can imagine,” Ramirez said. “She is a motivator and one of the biggest advocates our students have her at Traver School. She has earned an impressive array of awards these past years and deserves every one of them.”
Kingsburg Summer Band conductor and music educator Dale Engstrom has held music clinics at Traver School. He has seen Bernsen with her music students.
“She has given many students an opportunity to succeed,” Engstrom said. “She was a ‘mother hen’ that really cared about her kids.”
Among her highlights at Traver was having Gary Gilroy, California State University, Fresno, director of bands and award-winning composer write a composition, “Powerdriven” for the seventh and eight grade students.
In 2013, Gilroy commented on Bernsen’s ability to motivate her students.
“On my first visit to Traver School, I recall a small portable trailer that was made into a band room,” Gilroy said. “It was bustling with energetic students, all under the guidance of an incredibly positive and energetic woman named Mrs. Bernsen.”