Very few teachers leave a lasting impact on their students, but Mrs. Berry is one of those rare educators whose influence extends far beyond the classroom. Through her dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to her craft, she has touched the lives of countless students, inspiring them to strive for excellence and embrace the power of knowledge.
Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Penny Berry moved to Austin, Texas, at the age of eleven and later attended Stephen F. Austin High School. After graduating, she pursued her passion for liberal arts, studying at both the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at El Paso.
For the past 23 years, Berry has been a cornerstone of Coronado High School, teaching nearly every grade level. She began with a brief five months of teaching freshmen and sophomores before discovering her true calling: teaching juniors. Currently, Berry specializes in AP and IB English.
“I did a period of time with freshman that lasted about five months, and I also taught sophomores for a period of time,” Berry said, “But as fate would have it, IB and AP classes opened up within a year of my joining Coronado,”.
Berry grew up with an appreciation of writing, with her dad being a journalist in Okinawa, Japan after World War II. Being surrounded by journalism, Berry was enriched with an understanding of the power of storytelling, cultivating a deep appreciation for well-crafted writing and literature.
“I love literature,” Berry expressed, “I love the themes, the significance, the history behind literature. Why humans write down their worst fears and their hopes, and I wanted to pass that on to the next generations.”
Berry is a highly passionate teacher, being a beacon of wisdom for all her students. Whether it be thoroughly teaching In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, or guiding students on the proper use of rhetoric, Berry emphasizes that teaching is one of the most noble professions.
Berry once worked in the corporate office of a large natural gas transmission company, surrounded by professionals and lawyers. While she earned more money than she knew how to spend, the job left her feeling unfulfilled.
“It was just lawsuit, after lawsuit,” Berry said, “When I went into teaching, there’s a sense, a true sense of fulfillment that you will not get in any other occupation.”
Spending weekdays in the classroom, and weekends grading papers, Berry is devoted to her students.
“Teaching defines my life,” Berry said, “It divides my life [too]. I spend the weekends grading papers, writing letters of recommendation. I think about the students. When they come in, I have conversations, lectures, discussions about literature. How does it define my life? It basically has made me who I am,”.
Berry expressed that she finds it most rewarding when past students recognize her in public.
“I’ll encounter these students who remember [me], and I’ll be really honest with you, sometimes I struggle to remember [them],” Berry said, “But then all of a sudden it hits me ‘Oh my gosh! you were so-and-so and you sat in the seat off to the left’. I guess it’s the idea of being able to give back to the next generation,”.
Countless years of teaching have exposed Berry to numerous changes over time.
“When I first started teaching, we could go into deep dives on literature and plays,” Berry stated, “Now I feel that state mandated tests limit teacher’s curriculum, not giving them an opportunity to teach what they truly want.”
After years of devotion and service to Coronado’s community, Berry shared that she plans on retiring this upcoming summer.
“I will miss the students,” Berry said, “I plan on reading, sleeping, and not getting up at zero dark 30, but I don’t have any specific plans other than relaxing and reading Les Misérables,”.
Berry’s unwavering dedication to her students and her passion for shaping future generations exemplify the true spirit of teaching. Her years of hard work and commitment to education deserve not only admiration but also deep respect from all who have had the privilege of learning from her.
“I’m glad I did it.” Berry said.
