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Nicole Bernal wins KENS 5 SACU ExCEL Award for Randolph ISD

UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas - Students and staff packed the gym at Randolph High School this week to honor their Science teacher.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas - Students and staff packed the gym at Randolph High School this week to honor their Science teacher.

Nicole Bernal teaches Science, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Microbiology and Principles of Health Science.

And while she's teaching students about the translations of protein synthesis, Nicole Bernal is herself learning from these children of our military. "They all bring unique gifts and their own story. I'm born and raised San Antonio, so I haven't traveled very much. I travel through them so they teach me about all the places they've been," said Bernal.

Bernal spent six years as an Emergency Medical Technician and what she saw in the emergency room made her want to teach. "I saw what happens with the drug use and all the drunk driving, just the bad choices that happen every day. I felt that I could do better and make a bigger difference as a teacher. I thought I could guide kids in the classroom and make those better choices," said Bernal.

She does that by being a terrific science teacher. "My grade has gone up about 10 points. She's really helped me, I like her teaching method," said freshman Madeline Foster.

And she helps students make good choices in life by listening and guiding them. But also by listening and guiding students to make good choices in life. "She's like a mother kind of teacher, she reminds me of a mother. I can ask her question if I ever had a problem and she's a very caring teacher, like if something's wrong she'll ask what's wrong and really be helpful," said freshman John Gierat.

"I want them to be successful in whatever they choose. I know as parents we want them to go off to college, but for some, it's not for them and they have to feel okay with that. So if they want to go to technical school or art school they need to feel they are just as successful," said Bernal.

Her second career has taken her from ambulance to classroom, but Bernal is still improving and saving lives.

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