Jessica Bernards

Jessica Bernards is an award-winning educator, curriculum author, and keynote speaker who now brings her expertise to both education and business.

In education, she leads faculty development, professional workshops, and creates innovative curriculum that makes content more accessible, engaging, and relevant for today’s learners.

In business, she delivers training and consulting that strengthen leadership, communication, and efficiency. Her workshops—ranging from soft skills for emerging leaders to AI-driven strategies for streamlining workflows—are practical, interactive, and results-focused.

Across every setting, her mission is the same: to empower people with the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive.

Teaching Philosophy

At the core of Jessica’s philosophy is the belief that “anyone can be a math person” and that anyone can effectively leverage modern tools, including AI, with the right guidance. In educational settings, she champions active learning, growth mindset, and fostering a strong sense of belonging in the classroom. Her approach emphasizes helping students understand not just the how but also the why behind concepts.

In her industry consulting work, Jessica applies these same principles to organizational growth and professional development. She believes that with clear training and a supportive framework, teams across all sectors can strengthen leadership, communication, and adaptability while learning to integrate new technologies like AI responsibly. Whether working with educators or business professionals, she focuses on demystifying complex ideas and building confidence through hands-on learning and practical application.

This approach bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that both students and professionals develop not only technical skills but also the critical thinking and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Achievements and Recognition

Jessica's innovative teaching methods and dedication to student success have earned her numerous accolades, including:

  • AMATYC Teaching Excellence Award

  • Leila and Simon Peskoff Award

  • NISOD Excellence Award

Leadership and Contributions

As a leader in education, Jessica serves as the Northwest Vice President of the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC). She is a sought-after speaker, regularly keynoting at national conferences and sharing her insights with educators across the country.

Curriculum & Training Development

Jessica’s impact extends beyond the classroom. She is a prolific curriculum consultant and author, having co-authored several published mathematics textbooks and developed an open educational resource (OER) math study skills series, underscoring her commitment to accessible and effective mathematics education.

Her curriculum expertise now also reaches the business sector. For example, she has created workbooks for emerging leaders that helps managers strengthen the soft skills essential for effective leadership, including communication, decision making, and adaptability. The workbook also introduces strategies for using AI ethically and responsibly in professional settings.

Together, these projects reflect Jessica’s ability to design practical, engaging, and forward-thinking learning materials that empower both students and professionals to succeed.