A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Bonnie Albert

Though she was born in Gary, Bonnie Albert is from the small town of Brimsfield, Indiana. She moved because of her father’s military service during World War II. As a young girl, she lived with her mother’s parents, and the town she grew up in then became her village. While her sister lives today in the house their father built when he returned from the war, life took Albert elsewhere as she got older. 

Albert attended Manchester University, a school associated with the Church of the Brethren, where she received guidance that formed the foundations of her faithful post-graduation pursuits. She didn’t return back home, however, because while she was away, she met a man she married within two years. The two had four children together. 

For a time, Albert stepped away from any kind of schooling to raise her kids. Education was undergoing major changes in the 1950s and ’60s, compelling her to eventually make her way back to the field. She’d later go on to become an educator in mathematics, a subject that appealed to her as no other could. Back in the day, women didn’t commonly teach in classrooms, so she turned into a trailblazer. 

“I thought about doing other things, but mathematics spoke to me. I was able to teach what I loved while being a mother, and I was feeling what God called me to do, which was working with young people,” Albert said. “Being with young people took my heart, and that’s what I was happy doing. I had interesting experiences. I felt I had something to offer to my students, and that was the encouragement to be their best.”

Albert graduated in 1964, but she didn’t get started in the classroom until about a decade after. While raising her own children, she also took care of fostered ones. She even helped in establishing a nursery school, but she found her calling in Portage Township Schools. Meeting kids at all levels, she worked to improve their understanding of everything from general math to pre-calculus. 

An integral component of Albert’s role was helping students realize mathematics is critical. She made sure to work with the kids who didn’t believe in themselves, seeing how there were differences in how maturity in and confidence with math would come about. She went about her day-to-day tasks faithfully, and she worked hard on behalf of her learners, seldom leaving school before 5 p.m.

“I think teaching is just fabulous. If you really cared about the student, you’d get them the tools they needed to be successful, whether it be in class or life in general. There were always times when you needed to be their advocate,” Albert said. “You were working with the kids so that they’d have their own voice. Working a lot with the kids was my driving force. We had a lot of fun.” 

As the years went on, Albert got more involved with the United Methodist Church of Valparaiso. Through 65 years of marriage, she’s been able to travel the world as a volunteer for certain missions. She’s been able to provide aid in places where it’s needed. She’s traveled to Russia and Ukraine, and she’s been to Zimbabwe four times, as well as Sierra Leone twice. 

The adventures Albert’s gone on, including trips to countries like Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, have shown her there’s so much to be grateful for in her homeland. In going out of the country to attend to the well-being of others, she’s witnessed God’s goodness in all facets of life. She’s never shied away from doing what she can to help people, and she likes inspiring in the process. 

“We are so blessed, and we didn’t do very much to be this blessed. We were born here. Had I been born somewhere else, I don’t know where I would be today. It’s possible I wouldn’t be alive,” Albert said. “We’d jump right into the work we’d do across the world. One of the best things I’ve ever done is give my heart, and I’ve worked to get young people to give their hearts to other cultures, too.” 

Part of quite the extended family, Albert has 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Family time to her is important. Her family owns a small cottage in Kosciusko County that serves as a perfect oasis for get-togethers.

Even at an advanced age, Albert remains engaged. She’s associated with Operation Classroom, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to literacy development with ties overseas. A forever drive of hers has been ensuring younger individuals get a chance at university-level studies. 

Home to her church, Albert has much to be thankful for in Valpo. She finds the downtown area of the city to be entertaining and exciting. Her appreciation for the local parks consistently grows, and she considers her and her family’s ability to enjoy the nearby amenities a privilege. 

“I think Valparaiso is fine. I’ve appreciated it for its park system. It’s nice to have such a well-planned arrangement of things to do here,” Albert said. “Our church does a lot of good things for all of us who worship there. That’s helpful in any community, and that experience is really special.”