Celebrating Volunteer Frank Berg

After 15 years of volunteering at Richfield Middle School, Frank Berg is stepping away, leaving behind a legacy that goes far beyond math lessons. If you ask Frank about his time at Richfield Middle School, he won’t start with equations or test scores. He’ll tell you about the students.

For Frank, a retired structural engineer for the City of St. Paul, math was never just about finding the answer. It was about building a foundation of confidence for kids navigating middle school, while understanding not just the how of math but also the why.

Frank retired from his engineering job on December 31, 2011. By the end of January 2012, he was already looking for a way to stay active and engaged in his community. He didn't fill out a mountain of paperwork or apply at various places – he simply walked into the Richfield Middle School front office and said he wanted to help.

He was sent to Ms. Gifford’s classroom, and a 15-year partnership was born.

“Frank Berg is one of a kind, with a caring personality and a desire to help everyone believe that they can do math,” shared Ms. Gifford. “His patience and dedication to helping students have been impressive to watch over the last 15 years. Every Wednesday, without fail, students would ask, ‘Do I get to work with Mr. Berg today?’ They like working with him. They appreciate his patience and kindness and truly enjoy learning math from a different perspective.”

"I just liked explaining things to people," Frank said simply.

But what he gave students went far beyond explanations. Each week, Frank would arrive as school opened, check in on the day’s lesson and bring small groups of students to the media center. There, with a whiteboard and a refusal to use calculators, he guided them through the material – offering encouragement, clarity and steady support.

Frank’s engineering background shaped how he approached these sessions. He didn’t see math as a set of problems to get through, but as a set of tools students could carry with them.

"It’s like a woodworking class," Frank explains. "You learn the tools and what they can do. That’s all math is: the tools you’re going to have to work with as you begin to use math in your life."

While Frank was helping students grow, he quickly realized they were teaching him, too. He spoke with awe about the culture of kindness he witnessed.

"Never in 15 years did I see a student try to look smarter than others by holding back help," Frank says. "Students were so quick to run to help another student. They’d pitch in and work together on the whiteboard. I’d just stand back and let them work. Sometimes if they had a question, I’d tell them: Ask the other students, not me."

Frank’s impact reached far beyond the classroom. During our interview, District Office staff member Stephanie Davison overheard his voice and stepped in to say hello. Even though Frank worked with her son, Mark, more than five years ago, he immediately remembered them both.

"He’s amazing," said Stephanie. "He would come in every week, work with the kids, and even stay after school. He was just wonderful."

At home, Frank’s love for teaching has always been just as clear.

"He always comes back happy," his wife, Mary Ellen, shared. "He loves to be with children and to teach. Even in the car, he’s doing backseat math with the grandkids.” Frank laughed and said, “What better way to pass the time?"

Frank was recognized at the May 4 school board meeting for his volunteer efforts over the past 15 years. During our conversation, he shared deep appreciation for the principals and teachers at Richfield Middle School who welcomed him into their classrooms and trusted him with their students.

Ms. Gifford shared: “As a retired engineer, it is impressive that he has had such an impact on middle school students throughout the years. We have been lucky to have him volunteer at RMS, and he will be missed!”

"I loved what I did for a living," Frank reflected, "but I’m finding it much harder to leave this behind than my actual career. This has heart in it. It has been a wonderful fifteen years."

Frank may be stepping away from Richfield Middle School, but the impact he’s had on students and the joy he found in working with them will last far longer.

We are beyond grateful for his time, his care and his unwavering belief in students. He will be deeply missed, and we wish him all the best in what lies ahead.