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A Devoted Teacher

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune Correspondent

Published: November 23, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - As part of the school's 30th anniversary celebration this year, Bertha Juanpere was named the queen of Pine View Middle School. She was given a crown and a cake and appeared as guest of honor at a school pep rally.

For Juanpere, the accolades cap a 31-year teaching career in the Pasco County school system. She's loved every minute of it.

"I've dedicated all my life to teaching," said Juanpere, 62. "And I'm still happy doing it."

Juanpere began her career teaching at Bayonet Point Middle and came to Pine View Middle when it opened in 1978. For her, middle school education holds special benefits for the dedicated teacher.

"I love the challenge of teaching middle school students," she said. "They're going through a lot of changes at this age and are developing physically and mentally. It's a challenge to find things they like to do, to get them to like learning."

Teaching was a lifelong dream for the Cuba native, who graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Spanish language education. She's also certified to teach gifted students.

"When I was a little girl, I loved playing school," she said. "I always dreamed of being a teacher."

Juanpere first came to Pine View Middle while accompanying a friend on a job interview.

"My friend told me they were looking for someone who teaches Spanish and social studies," she said. "I said, 'That's me!'"

These days, Juanpere teaches Spanish exclusively, to all three grade levels.

Studying a foreign language is important for students this age, she said.

"By taking classes like Spanish, they see different electives they can choose later on," she said. "This is the way they get into languages."

Juanpere has seen many changes during her long career.

"I've seen the introduction of technology at our school and a huge growth in our county and in enrollment at the school," she said. "It's amazing."

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