Online Degrees

Sherri Bernier, Ed.D.
Associate Faculty

Contact info:
Email: sbernier@instructor.post.edu

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Biography

Academic Background:

• 2006 Doctorate Degree, Educational Leadership, University of Hartford
• 2001 Master of Science Degree in Counseling with a specialization in Community/Rehabilitation, Central CT State University 
• 1998 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a Minor in Psychology, CCSU
• 1986 Liberal Arts Associate Degree, Tunxis Community College
• 1984 Human Services Certificate, Tunxis Community College
• 1975 Hartford Ballet Teacher Trainee Program

Dr. Bernier’s doctorate dissertation research involved Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. As a breast cancer survivor while completing her Master’s degree, Dr Bernier worked as a Regional Executive for Patient Support for the American Cancer Society. Her internships included the D’Esopo Resource Center for Loss and Transition and New Britain General Hospital.  

Teaching Background:

2010-present: Master’s Degree Human Services, Post University, Waterbury, CT
Adjunct Professor Online and Waterbury Campus, Courses taught are Human Development through the Lifecycle, Sociology of Human Services, and Applied Research Methods in Human Services.

2005-present: Department of University Studies, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT 
Adjunct Professor: Courses taught in the Adult Journey in Search of Meaning.

2002-present: Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Department of
Education, St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT
Adjunct Professor/Mentor/Lecturer: Courses taught in Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Studies and Educational Research Methods.

Teaching Philosophy:

In quoting Webster, “Education is the instruction or training by which people (generally young) learn to develop and use their mental, moral, and physical powers”.  With this definition in mind, Dr. Bernier truly believes that one must incorporate traditional and untraditional teachings.  In today’s society, the classroom is a mixture of cultures and diverse populations. In teaching, one must also look to the autonomy of each student and assist in developing it. 

As an educator coming from a psychological and sociological background, it is vital to include curriculum that increases cultural awareness and student self-esteem. Teaching one to discover the inner-self and also to expand on utilizing group dynamics, does not only aid in the process of learning but also builds character. 

Dr. Bernier’s teaching philosophy incorporates motivation as a strong stimulus in progressive learning.  When one has an incentive to learn a new task, the mind is opened to new thoughts of thinking, including developing perseverance.  When tasks are accomplished, self-worth soars and pride in one’s work shines through.  By using creativity and with thinking “outside of the box”, motivating a classroom has a contagious effect, leading to strong team building. 

Professional Background:

Dr. Bernier’s professional career in healthcare includes fifteen years in long-term care as a Therapeutic Recreation Director. She has worked in assisted living facilities and nursing homes as an Executive Director and Dementia Program Director. Dr. Bernier also was an Executive Director for a vocational and rehabilitation agency for acquired brain injury and developmental disabled clients. These positions involved working with clients, families, state agencies, healthcare providers, caregivers, families, and board members.

She is founder of Bernier Hypnosis and Life Enrichment, LLC using hypnosis to guide clients to well-being and empowerment. She is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and is registered with the State of Connecticut. Dr. Bernier is also on the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center's Integrative Medicine team in Middletown, CT. She is the team's Guided Imagery Specialist where she facilitates workshops and teaches patients guided imagery techniques to ease stress and pain management.

Dr. Bernier is the creator of Designs with Inspiration, sewing shawls, scarves, ponchos, and turbans, each with a secret pocket that hold inspirational affirmations.  She donates a portion of her sales to Stand Up To Cancer.

Personal Background:

Dr. Bernier’s leisure time is spent traveling with her husband of over thirty five years, cooking for her family, and enjoying her grand daughters.

Honors

• 2006 recipient of the Ruth Weg Emerging Scholar Award
• 2005 recipient of the Ruth Weg Emerging Scholar Award
• 2004 recipient of the Ruth Weg Emerging Scholar Award
• 2004 inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education
• 1998 inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society
• 1997 inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society

 

Professional Organizations and Affiliations

• American Cancer Society 
• Komen Race for the Cure
• Stand Up To Cancer
• Southington Chamber of Commerce
• Central CT Chamber of Commerce

Publications/Presentations:
Dr. Bernier’s research topics and projects have dealt with low self-esteem in children, Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences, children of alcoholics, holistic approaches in working with acquired brain injury, body image, multiculturalism in therapeutic recreation, and dementia. She has presented her work locally and at national conferences in Oklahoma, Indiana, Florida, Texas, and Virginia. 

2010 The Door Opener Holistic Health Resource Journal/Magazine  Fall Issue

• The Breast Cancer Voyage: Hypnosis And The Journey To Reestablishing An Accepting Self-Concept Of Body Image Following Surgery

2010 Middlesex Cancer Center, Middletown, CT

• The Breast Cancer Voyage Workshop: Teaching the benefits of guided imagery during mammograms, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction.

2010-2011 Hospital of Central CT

• Survivorship Workshop Speaker

2010 National Guild of Hypnotist Annual Convention, Marlborough MA

• The Breast Cancer Voyage: Hypnosis And The Journey To Reestablishing An Accepting Self-Concept Of Body Image Following Surgery

2009 Advanced training presentation for Allied Community Services
CT Valley Hospital, Middletown, CT

• A Holistic Approach to  Working with ABI Clients: The Mind, Body, & Spirit

2006 Presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s 59th Annual Scientific Conference-November 2006 in Dallas, Texas

• Care Managers’ Perceptions of Ethical Principles in Decision Making: Placing the Home and Community-Based Individual with Dementia in a Nursing Facility

2006 Presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education 32nd Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana

• The Elevator Stops at OZ: Entering the World of Dementia

2005 Presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s 58th Annual Scientific Conference-November 2005 in Orlando, Fl.

• The Use of Multiculturalism in Therapeutic Recreational Programs: Reflections of Gerontology Students

2005 Presenter at the Alzheimer’s Association CT Chapter Education Conference

• The Elevator Stops at OZ: Entering the World of Dementia

2005  Sigma Phi Omega student paper presenter at the Annual Association for Gerontology in Higher Educational Conference in Oklahoma City, OK

• Dementia Care Training in Long-term Health Facilities: The Perceptions of Staff Educators on Instruction

2005 Poster Presentation CT Community Care, Inc. Education Conference

• The Use of Multiculturalism in Therapeutic Recreational Programs: Reflections of Gerontology Students

2004  Sigma Phi Omega student paper presenter at the Annual Association for Gerontology in Higher Educational Conference in Richmond, VA

• The Use of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences In The Training Of Health Care Professionals In Geriatric Settings

2003 Celebrate Women: UCONN Medical Center Educational Program

• Interacting with Someone Who Has Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Forms of Dementia

2003-04: Zen Shiatsu, LLC, A Therapy Center: Integrating the Body, Mind, and Spirit, Unionville, CT
Coordinator of Community Outreach and Marketing

• Facilitating outreach programs including seminars at the UCONN Medical Center  “Celebrate Women” weekend retreat, the Circle of Hope Lymphedema Foundation, at local YMCAs and cancer support groups.

2001 American Cancer Society, Meriden CT

• Wrote and received a grant for the Lymphedema Foundation

2001 Central CT State University, New Britain, CT

• An Exploration Into Body Image Following Breast Cancer Surgery

2000 Poem published in Surviving: A Cancer Patient Magazine, Stanford Health Care and Hospital, Stanford, California

• The Road Map of Self

2000 internship at D’Esopo Resource Center for Loss and Transition: Facilitated widow support groups and special sharing and caring group for older adults coping with loss.

1999-2002 Facilitated support groups and teaching relaxation techniques to cancer survivors and family members sponsored by Bristol Hospital, New Britain General Hospital and the American Cancer Society

1999-2002 Presented program at New Britain General Hospital and Bristol Hospital

• Coping with Breast Cancer

1999 internship at New Britain General Hospital: Psychiatric ward facilitating group therapy sessions and teaching relaxation techniques

1998 three month internship in advanced group facilitation Rocky Hill Institute: Graduate Assistant at Central CT State University and Quinnipiac College facilitating group dynamics to undergraduate and graduate students

 Central CT State University, New Britain, CT

• 1998 Adult Children Of Alcoholics: Exploring The Dysfunctional Behavioral And Emotional Traits Associated with Adult Children Of Alcoholics
• 1996 Stand Tall: Death of an Alcoholic Parent