Dr. Bernida Thompson
Founder/Principal
Roots Public Public Charter School

by Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher
Copa: Dr. Bernida, where are you from?
Dr. Bernida: I'm from Tuskegee, Alabama on the Tuskegee Army Airfield. My father was a Tuskegee Airman. His family is actually from Union, South Carolina. After WWII W moved to Ohio
Dr. Bernida: I'm from Tuskegee, Alabama on the Tuskegee Army Airfield. My father was a Tuskegee Airman. His family is actually from Union, South Carolina. After WWII W moved to Ohio
Copa: Where did you attend school:
Dr. Bernida: I attended Central State University, afterwards I received my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Wilberforce, Ohio. Later I attended Miami University in Ohio for my Master's degree in Elementary Administration, Finally I received my Doctorate in Early and Middle Childhood Education.
Dr. Bernida: I attended Central State University, afterwards I received my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Wilberforce, Ohio. Later I attended Miami University in Ohio for my Master's degree in Elementary Administration, Finally I received my Doctorate in Early and Middle Childhood Education.
Copa: What inspired you to focus in the field of Education?
Dr. Bernida: Well, when I was a little girl, people would always ask you what you wanted to be. I was so happy to say that I wanted to be a Mommy and I wanted to have 100 children, I enjoyed being around children even as a child being around younger children and teaching them. I remember one day my father said to me, "Bernida, I think when people are asking you what you want t er we would go to my Grandmother's house which was his mother. She would always tell us her how important Education was extremely important. She would tell us when she was a kid in Union, South Carolina she was the oldest of 6 kids and when she was 12 years old her mother died. Her father told her that she would have to quit school so she could come home and take care of the rest of the children. So the next day she had to go to school and tell her teacher that she would not be able to continue to attend class. She wanted to finish school so bad because she wanted to become a teacher. Her teacher told her not to worry because one day one of her children would become a teacher to children. She told all of her children that same story, This always stuck in my mind because I was doing this for my Grandmother
Dr. Bernida: Well, when I was a little girl, people would always ask you what you wanted to be. I was so happy to say that I wanted to be a Mommy and I wanted to have 100 children, I enjoyed being around children even as a child being around younger children and teaching them. I remember one day my father said to me, "Bernida, I think when people are asking you what you want t er we would go to my Grandmother's house which was his mother. She would always tell us her how important Education was extremely important. She would tell us when she was a kid in Union, South Carolina she was the oldest of 6 kids and when she was 12 years old her mother died. Her father told her that she would have to quit school so she could come home and take care of the rest of the children. So the next day she had to go to school and tell her teacher that she would not be able to continue to attend class. She wanted to finish school so bad because she wanted to become a teacher. Her teacher told her not to worry because one day one of her children would become a teacher to children. She told all of her children that same story, This always stuck in my mind because I was doing this for my Grandmother
Copa: What was your first teaching job when you finished your schooling?
Dr. Bernida: My first teaching assignment was in Dayton, Ohio. I got married after I graduated and I began teaching a first grade class. I taught all of my young students about Black History. The school was happy to read the books, sing the songs and see the plays. Not only the kids liked it but also the parents and the entire school as well. There was a time when 'Model Cities' was in Ohio and Dr. Mark Thomas was the big Educator that brought lots of grants for Black people in the Black community. I was one of his top teachers. He was able to get me a grant to go to Oxford, Ohio for me to earn my Master's degree.
Dr. Bernida: My first teaching assignment was in Dayton, Ohio. I got married after I graduated and I began teaching a first grade class. I taught all of my young students about Black History. The school was happy to read the books, sing the songs and see the plays. Not only the kids liked it but also the parents and the entire school as well. There was a time when 'Model Cities' was in Ohio and Dr. Mark Thomas was the big Educator that brought lots of grants for Black people in the Black community. I was one of his top teachers. He was able to get me a grant to go to Oxford, Ohio for me to earn my Master's degree.
Copa: Where did you teach after acquiring your Master's degree?
Dr. Bernida: The next stop was DC. I was the Science Resource Teacher at Seaton Elementary School for a number of years under Dr. Henry. I was always saving money in order to open my own school. During these years I was developing my own curriculum for my future school.
Dr. Bernida: The next stop was DC. I was the Science Resource Teacher at Seaton Elementary School for a number of years under Dr. Henry. I was always saving money in order to open my own school. During these years I was developing my own curriculum for my future school.
Copa: When did you open your first school?
Dr. Bernida: The first school I opened was an independent school, It was called "Liberation School." It was an African centered school which was on it's own. It was called "Roots Activities Learning Center." At the time I had a little baby that was 1 year old and a little girl who was Kindergarten age.
Dr. Bernida: The first school I opened was an independent school, It was called "Liberation School." It was an African centered school which was on it's own. It was called "Roots Activities Learning Center." At the time I had a little baby that was 1 year old and a little girl who was Kindergarten age.