Brighton High School

BHS - Making a Difference


In the beginning… ... at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania, in a small town called Pittston, there was a baby girl born to James and Yvonne at 2:08AM on November 14, 1967. They named this baby girl Yvonne, a family name carried on still today. This baby girl grew up and graduated from Pittston Area Senior High School, literally “by the good graces from up above.” At the time, she did not realize the value of and the opportunity that a quality education could provide for her future. After graduation she was accepted to the University of Pittsburg for entrance into their pharmaceutical program; however neither of her parents had full confidence in her to take a college career seriously, based upon her “Social Sally” days throughout high school. Yvonne, having a soul-searching debate regarding her college opportunity, decided instead to enter into the United States Military Forces. On Christmas Eve of her high school graduation year, at the age of 17 years, Yvonne left home for basic training, thereafter to serve as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Naval Forces. While serving in the Armed Forces, she started working on an undergraduate degree with Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale. After attaining a BS degree in Business & Management, she continued with a graduate degree and finally a doctorate degree. While stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, she met Shawn, the man that would later ask her to be his wife. After 15 years in the United States Navy, ten of which were spent overseas, a tour in Desert Storm, completing a doctoral degree, and having three children (Brooke Genevieve, Alaina Yvonne, & Brad Vincent), it was time to leave the military and enter into the civilian world. For the next eight years she managed private physicians’ practices, consulted for healthcare organizations, and taught for Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale and Southwest Community College on a part-time basis. Most recently she decided to make a career change to teaching full-time. At the end of the 2003-2004 school year she taught Foundations II at Munford High School and then for the 2004-2005 school year started teaching Geometry for Brighton High School. Presently, at 38 years of age she is ready and willing for a whole new world of challenges, fun and the unexpected. Throughout her time on this earth she has always believed in and kept close to her heart a quote that she heard long ago: “Imagine it and you can achieve it; dream it and you can become it.”
Email: ybierdz@tipton-county.com	Classroom Webpage