Brightmont Academy - Sammamish

Brightmont Academy Teacher of the Month: John Kernan - 02/26/2018 - Dr. John Kernan joined Brightmont Academy Samammish about two years ago. John comes to Brightmont with a very extensive background in education as well as in coaching track and field. He holds a bachelor`s degree in health and physical education, a master`s d...more
Brightmont Academy Teacher of the Month: John Kernan - 02/26/2018 - Dr. John Kernan joined Brightmont Academy Samammish about two years ago. John comes to Brightmont with a very extensive background in education as well as in coaching track and field. He holds a bachelor`s degree in health and physical education, a master`s degree in special education, and a doctor of education in human performance and fitness.  John has coached track and field for over 43 years at all levels, including U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. He is currently coaching at Star Center in Tacoma with the Wounded Warriors, a group comprised of disabled youth, disabled adults, and wounded soldiers ages 6 to 60.

Brightmont Running Club is one of John`s special contributions to campus life. He started the club with students and teachers in October of 2017, and its members have since walked, jogged, biked and run a total of almost 400 miles. Students have been really excited to get involved and get active and it`s made a huge impact in their ability to focus on afternoon studies. The club has held four fun runs with participation at every one.  John says, "The running club helps students get active, set goals, get involved with their communities, track their miles, and do better in their academics." He added, "I see no difference between coaching and teaching. I learn things from my students I can use with my athletes and vice versa."

Nolan, a 10th grader who has John for his world history course, has been running with John from the start of the club. According to Nolan, "John is motivational, and he has a lot of experience. He uses unique teaching styles to best fit his students." Cole is a senior at Brightmont and has worked with John in English for the last two years. Cole says, "John is just a really good teacher. He is fun and helps me learn in the ways that are best for me."

John`s favorite thing about Brightmont Academy is the one-to-one setting and how it allows him to create a special learning environment for each student. John enjoys meeting a student and then discovering how they learn best. He tailors his teaching style, his approach, and the overall atmosphere of his class to each student`s needs.  He said that Brightmont Academy is a dream school for him. He wishes he could have been a part of a place like this throughout his whole career. He sees Brightmont as such a unique place and he loves being a part of that....hide
Brightmont Academy Teacher of the Month: John Kernan - 02/26/2018 - Dr. John Kernan joined Brightmont Academy Samammish about two years ago. John comes to Brightmont with a very extensive background in education as well as in coaching track and field. He holds a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, a master's de...more
Brightmont Academy Teacher of the Month: John Kernan - 02/26/2018 - Dr. John Kernan joined Brightmont Academy Samammish about two years ago. John comes to Brightmont with a very extensive background in education as well as in coaching track and field. He holds a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, a master's degree in special education, and a doctor of education in human performance and fitness. John has coached track and field for over 43 years at all levels, including U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. He is currently coaching at Star Center in Tacoma with the Wounded Warriors, a group comprised of disabled youth, disabled adults, and wounded soldiers ages 6 to 60....hide

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