Bernadette Mulligan Janis, Ed.D. ’85

“Teachers who love teaching teach children to love learning” is an expression that captures the vocation of 1985 graduate Bernadette Mulligan Janis, Ed.D. She credits her teachers and coaches with laying the foundation for her academic and professional endeavors. Bernadette is the coaching coordinator for the Penn Literacy Network at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She teaches graduate-level courses and implements school-wide literacy coaching programs. She describes her role as honoring and supporting the work of teachers and students. Bernadette holds a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree from Penn State, and an undergraduate degree from La Salle University. Her most valuable educational experience, however, comes from raising her six children with her husband Chris Janis: Christopher ’11, Catherine ’14, Matthew ’15, Meaghan’17, Julia ’20, and Andrew '24.

 

Bernadette believes that the greatest gifts that her parents gave her are her Catholic faith and her Catholic school education. As a student, she was surrounded by exemplary educators who extended the values of her parents and inspired her love of learning. Nancy Linso, Bernadette’s junior high language arts teacher at St. John School in Collingswood (now Good Shepherd School), taught her how to think critically, remain open to diverse points of view, and work collaboratively. Through his dedication, enthusiasm, and student-centered classroom, John Yeager, her freshman English teacher at Paul VI, inspired Bernadette to become a high school English teacher. Michael Busarello guided her cross country team to state championship titles, earning Bernadette a spot on the All South Jersey Team, and the leadership skills and work ethic he modeled are lasting gifts. As National Honor Society President, Bernadette was fortunate to be mentored by Marlena Pitman, who embraced the idea of a peer tutoring program and inspired Bernadette’s eventual career in education. Through the years, she continues to hear the voices of these remarkable people whose combined influence remains with her.

 

Close to Bernadette’s heart is the St. Rose of Lima Parish Annual Summer Literacy Program that she founded in 2004 and continues to direct. The program is inspired by the infinite ways that literacy influences a child’s well-being. Its focus is to empower every student through reading, writing, and talking in an engaging environment. Bernadette trains adult volunteers in literacy practices, and the children are enriched through the dedication of these teachers.  She also plays a vital role at Paul VI in providing onsite graduate courses and leadership training for faculty through the Penn Literacy Program and is also an active supporter of the Paul VI performing arts program.

 

Just as her parents and teachers taught her, faith forms the core of Bernadette’s undertakings. Bernadette invites students to think of their faith as something they do. Taking time to say hello and reach out to another student is an example of “doing faith.” Attending mass also counts for “doing faith.” She encourages young people to pray as they go about their day and to ask God for what they need.