Volunteer of the Year: Michael Berger

By Sophia Fischersfischer@theacorn.comWhenever Mike Berger drives by the basketball courts at Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks, he gets a warm feeling.

AN ASSET TO THOUSAND OAKS–Conejo Valley Adult School Principal Mike Berger stands next to the photographs of the school’s volunteer tutors. Berger was honored recently by the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce for being Volunteer of the Year. He’s active in many community organizations. “The lights are on there at night and hundreds of kids come to play,” said Berger, who helped create the courts when he was an assistant principal at the school from 1977 to 1980. He’s now the principal of Conejo Valley Adult Education for Conejo Valley Unified School District.

ATTENTIVE GROUP—Conejo Valley Adult School Principal Mike Berger gives a review for a class that’s studying computer networks. Berger has been named this year’s Volunteer of the Year. Bruce Lehmann, upper left, works for the Acorn Newspapers. He was coincidentally attending class that day. Nearly three decades after his work at Redwood, Berger has accomplished many things in the community.

Last month he was recognized for his achievements and named Volunteer of the Year by the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Regional Chamber of Commerce at its annual Spirit of Community awards.

“Mike Berger has given selflessly to our community for so long. We really wanted to recognize him,” said Julie Prince, events manager for the Chamber.

Berger didn’t make it easy for the Chamber to honor him. Wanting the recognition to be a surprise, Chamber President Janet Levett called Berger to make sure he would attend the dinner. As a member of the Chamber, Levett figured Berger was coming.

But Berger had other plans the night of the event. He had scheduled a faculty party at his home. Levett tried to talk him into leaving the party for a short time to come to the Chamber dinner, but Berger declined. Finally, Levett had to reveal why it was imperative that he attend.

“I’m honored but a bit humbled,” said Berger, who rescheduled his faculty event. “There are a lot of role models to follow in this town. Volunteerism in this town is amazing.”

Berger has worked in local education for 35 years either as a teacher or an administrator. He’s also served in leadership positions with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, Conejo Valley Historical Society, Conejo Future Foundation and the Thousand Oaks Jaycees. Berger has been elected five times to the Conejo Recreation and Park District and served as chair of the group four times. He’s coached youth sports and traveled to Romania to research and work on Rotary projects.

“Years ago I heard the Jaycees say that if you want a job done, give it to a busy person,” Berger said. “My wife would say that I can’t say no.”

Berger’s wife, Carol, is a CVUSD teacher, and the couple has two grown sons.

Originally from Ohio, Berger was recruited by city of Los Angeles schools after graduating from Wooster College in Ohio with a degree in biology. He moved to Thousand Oaks in 1970.

Teaching is in his blood. His grandfather taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Ohio. Berger has his grandfather’s teaching certificate, dated 1898, hanging on the wall in his office. Berger says his father, who taught vocational agriculture, has been a good role model for him.

“I really believe that instead of complaining, you do something to make things happen,” Berger said. “I guess that’s the way I was raised.”