Testimonials

A professional educator and credentialed teacher since 2010, as well as a published writer and freelance editor, I’ve worked with everyone from preschoolers to grandparents in public, private, charter, collegial and 1:1 settings within my community and internationally. I was honored to be one of Yelp’s Top 10 Tutors when I ran a private tutoring service, with students consistently averaging 2 years of growth within 6 months. My experience also includes working as a teacher-librarian for one of the nation's largest school districts and developing lessons as curriculum designer for start-ups. Additionally, I’m humbled to be the winner of various awards including the Clint Harper Teacher's Award, the Ventura County Retired Teachers Association, the Latina Leadership Network, and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Women Educators. Here's what some people are saying about working with me.

Comments submitted anonymously via surveys & evaluations.

"After taking this class, I feel more confident in writing overall. The professor really cared about creating a fun, healthy, and safe feeling environment for the class. The professor was very thorough with explaining assignments, as well as having clear instructions for each assignment."
"This was by far my favorite class this semester--I really liked that all the writing projects were all fun to write. Professor Berke always brought positive energy to the class and is always willing to help her students."
"I felt welcome, which made me want to be more engaged in the class. She was very knowledgeable and made the information taught to us easy to retain. It made me a lot more passionate about my writing and overall improved it."
“This course taught me so much. I learned about new forms, styles, and formats of creative non-fiction that I feel like have given me a solid foundation to go forth and continue practicing the craft, and ultimately write my stories into their new, beautiful homes. I am also very grateful for the community space this course provided!”
"This was my first class and Christina made me feel so welcomed and really sparked wonderful discussions among the students. She inspired me to write more and I am really grateful she taught the class. She clearly enjoys the subject as well!"
"OMG, This is brilliant, Christina! You are the BEST editor!!!! This has been SO very helpful and I am SO SO grateful for your edit!!!!! You caught so much that I'd missed."
"Christina is a wonderful instructor. I appreciated her intentionality in her selection of readings, and the ways that she guided us in working through examples and applying the principles to our own creative work. The free-writing prompts were also thought-provoking and have given me a lot of material to work with as well."
"Professor Berke genuinely cared about each student, and she was very understanding as well. Her teaching style was great. Also, although this doesn't apply to the academic aspect of things, she was a genuinely kind person, which made it easier to learn from her."
"[Her course] is perfect. Berke is extremely organized, emails back in a timely manner, and takes her time crafting up constructive feedback to give to her students regarding their assignments."
"Professor Berke is a literal ray of sunshine. She encourages everyone to participate and encourages a lot of team work. She is very detailed in her instructions and also very understanding."
"Truly no one better or more gifted at what she does... goes above and beyond and is so kind."
"Literally love the teacher, was so kind and generous. Focused on the students and is willing to help anyone. The class helped my writing and editing skills."
"WOW! These edits are so thoughtful, so on point, so intentional and sensitive. You are such a powerful editor and I am so grateful for your time."
"[She] is very good at giving feedback and teaching. My favorite class I've taken at UNLV."
"I really love the practical aspect of the course. Christina shared so many real examples and resources. This could have been such a big topic, but Christina smartly zeroed in on the art of the pitch itself as the way in the front door. This really helped to demystify the process and it feels very doable. "
"Christina is kind, humble, and helpful. She clearly has a heart that wants to help writers emerge into the literary world. Her class was helpful for learning how to pitch to editors. I'm sending my first pitch this week, and her class gave me the confidence to know that I'm covering the basics in the pitch. It also feels like I have one more person rooting for me as a writer. Thank you Christina!"
"This instructor made a clear effort to create a comfortable and affirming atmosphere in the class, which I really appreciated. They also provided clear instruction with abundant resources, thereby demystifying the subject."
"Christina was super encouraging. She was organized and presented clear info with concrete steps about freelance pitching. I felt like I learned a lot! Would love to take another class from her."
"I've taken multiple classes with Christina. She's just one of those people who have great energy and makes it easier to learn. Can't wait for more classes!!"
"Christina has such a calm, encouraging approach to the virtual classroom. She helps students feel present— and helps them feel her presence— through careful planning, guidance, and sweet extras. So much care and attention goes into her classes. Highly recommend!”
"I enjoyed exploring a new avenue of literature every week. More importantly, I was able to start writing again.
I had been in such a rut with my writing for the longest time [...] Slowly, I began to enjoy old things again. I was able to come up with new ideas and even pick up old files I had abandoned. There was something extremely encouraging about submitting assignments and reading the feedback. In class, I never felt pressured. It was the opposite. There was room for silence. And in turn I was able to slowly piece together work. [I was able] to enjoy something again. I feel better equipped to tackle any projects that I might come up with. Even if my writing stays locked away in the depths of all my files, I will think back to this semester warmly."
"Professer Berke was such an understanding and wonderful professor. I do not think she has any weaknesses from what was apparent to me, but her strengths include her understanding, empathy, and explanations of material and what to do. She was so nice, and was always pushing and wanting for her students to succeed. She wanted to do anything possible to make sure that her students succeeded and gained knowledge."
"Christina was such a gentle, welcoming and inclusive instructor. She clearly put a ton of preparation and thought into the sessions and was so knowledgeable and informative. I was especially impressed with how often she effortlessly dropped pertinent quotes by writers and philosophers into the discussion! And she provided the class with so much in-depth followup materials, including resources for continuing with our practice once the class has concluded. I'd love to take another class with Christina!"
"I loved Christina as an instructor! She was so warm and open. I have not taken a writing class since college, so I was a bit intimidated at first, but I felt completely comfortable sharing my thoughts in such a nonjudgmental space."
"I am so thrilled to have taken this class with Christina. She is committed to helping students break into the world of pitching and freelance writing, and she goes above and beyond in providing students with helpful feedback and resources!"
"Professor Berke is by far the most compassionate professor I've ever had the pleasure of learning from. Her class is both enjoyable and eagerly anticipated. She places great value on active participation and group discussions, fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Furthermore, she goes above and beyond to create a comfortable atmosphere that encourages students to ask questions and seek clarification. Additionally, she is readily available during her office hours, ensuring that students have ample opportunities for one-on-one assistance."
"Ms. Berke possesses a positive and enthusiastic personality. She is always ready with a smile and kind word. She is confident, knowledgeable, congenial and has the unmistakable drive of an effective teacher."
"She's able to work with a wide variety of students-- from ESL undergraduates to high achieving graduate professionals in such a friendly approachable way, resulting in the most highly requested teachers."
"She is among the most ethical individuals I have known in my two decades in academia, with a deep commitment to honoring each individual with whom she interacts, and her commitment to diversity and inclusion is among the most intrinsic and genuine that I have seen."
"The qualities that distinguish her academic and editorial work: her clarity, empathy, integrity, professionalism, and passion and her dedication to issues of equity."
"Ms. Berke has an institutive gift for teaching. Her grasp of subject matter is strong, and she is willing to learn new concepts in order to make her teaching practice more authentic.”
"I would definitely define her as a 'whatever it takes' type of person when it comes to doing what is needed and best for students. She creates an environment where students feel safe growing as readers and is creative in her approach within a curriculum that she is given. Her effectiveness as a reading teacher is in the fact that she leverages her relationships with her students to get them to be hungry for the love of reading. I's becaquse of her heart, dedication, and unwavering belief that all students can succeed. Christina’s gift to connect and build relationships with students from a different culture is by far unmatched."

Testimonials

"After taking this class, I feel more confident in writing overall. The professor really cared about creating a fun, healthy, and safe feeling environment for the class. The professor was very thorough with explaining assignments, as well as having clear instructions for each assignment."

"This was by far my favorite class this semester--I really liked that all the writing projects were all fun to write. Professor Berke always brought positive energy to the class and is always willing to help her students."

"I felt welcome, which made me want to be more engaged in the class. She was very knowledgeable and made the information taught to us easy to retain. It made me a lot more passionate about my writing and overall improved it."

"This was my first class and Christina made me feel so welcomed and really sparked wonderful discussions among the students. She inspired me to write more and I am really grateful she taught the class. She clearly enjoys the subject as well!"

"OMG, This is brilliant, Christina! You are the BEST editor!!!! This has been SO very helpful and I am SO SO grateful for your edit!!!!! You caught so much that I'd missed."

"Professor Berke genuinely cared about each student, and she was very understanding as well. Her teaching style was great. Also, although this doesn't apply to the academic aspect of things, she was a genuinely kind person, which made it easier to learn from her."

"[Her course] is perfect. Berke is extremely organized, emails back in a timely manner, and takes her time crafting up constructive feedback to give to her students regarding their assignments."

"Professor Berke is a literal ray of sunshine. She encourages everyone to participate and encourages a lot of team work. She is very detailed in her instructions and also very understanding."

"Truly no one better or more gifted at what she does... goes above and beyond and is so kind."

"Literally love the teacher, was so kind and generous. Focused on the students and is willing to help anyone. The class helped my writing and editing skills."

"WOW! These edits are so thoughtful, so on point, so intentional and sensitive. You are such a powerful editor and I am so grateful for your time."

"[She] is very good at giving feedback and teaching. My favorite class I've taken at UNLV."

"This instructor made a clear effort to create a comfortable and affirming atmosphere in the class, which I really appreciated. They also provided clear instruction with abundant resources, thereby demystifying the subject."

"Christina was super encouraging. She was organized and presented clear info with concrete steps about freelance pitching. I felt like I learned a lot! Would love to take another class from her."

"I've taken multiple classes with Christina. She's just one of those people who have great energy and makes it easier to learn. Can't wait for more classes!!"

"Christina has such a calm, encouraging approach to the virtual classroom. She helps students feel present— and helps them feel her presence— through careful planning, guidance, and sweet extras. So much care and attention goes into her classes. Highly recommend!”

"I loved Christina as an instructor! She was so warm and open. I have not taken a writing class since college, so I was a bit intimidated at first, but I felt completely comfortable sharing my thoughts in such a nonjudgmental space."

"I am so thrilled to have taken this class with Christina. She is committed to helping students break into the world of pitching and freelance writing, and she goes above and beyond in providing students with helpful feedback and resources!"

"Ms. Berke possesses a positive and enthusiastic personality. She is always ready with a smile and kind word. She is confident, knowledgeable, congenial and has the unmistakable drive of an effective teacher."

"She's able to work with a wide variety of students-- from ESL undergraduates to high achieving graduate professionals in such a friendly approachable way, resulting in the most highly requested teachers."

"She is among the most ethical individuals I have known in my two decades in academia, with a deep commitment to honoring each individual with whom she interacts, and her commitment to diversity and inclusion is among the most intrinsic and genuine that I have seen."

"The qualities that distinguish her academic and editorial work: her clarity, empathy, integrity, professionalism, and passion and her dedication to issues of equity."

"Ms. Berke has an institutive gift for teaching. Her grasp of subject matter is strong, and she is willing to learn new concepts in order to make her teaching practice more authentic.”