Schnell Bernavil, a second-grade teacher at KIPP VOICE Academy, was awarded $10,000 as a 2024 Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award Winner during the KIPP School Summit in Orlando, FL, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Bernavil is among 10 educators nationwide to be recognized with the award, honoring her exemplary work in the classroom.
“Mrs. Bernavil sets the example that we want all of our KIPP educators to follow to ensure KIPP students are prepared with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose,” said KIPP JAX Executive Director Dr. Melissa Fullmore. “These significant gains are a testament to how she responds to data and plans engaging lessons, which often transform the entire hallway.”
Since joining the KIPP VOICE Academy staff eight years ago, Bernavil has significantly advanced student learning. She has delivered outstanding achievement gains, with 86 percent of her students scoring at or above grade level on mid-year assessments and 90 percent leaving second grade reading at grade level. Bernavil’s approach to developing lessons that incorporate culturally relevant content and real-world connections has yielded high levels of academic mastery across all subjects, with students consistently outperforming regional averages.
“I have a group of twenty-six kids who look to me, and I know that I can make a difference for them every single day,” said Schnell Bernavil. “I don’t want them to put themselves in a box. I want them to be able not only to teach themselves but to teach and mentor others.”
The Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award is given annually to a select group of K-12 teachers from KIPP schools around the country. Bernavil is the first teacher from the Jacksonville region to receive the award. The award honors the legacy of Harriett Ball, a 35-year teaching veteran of Houston and Austin public schools who incorporated chants, songs, and movement to engage her students and enhance their learning experience.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of KIPP Public Schools.