PW Class of 1982, say hello to Christine Bertino, M.Ed.-credentialed Senior Instructional Design Leader with over 26 years of corporate enterprise experience directing high-impact learning strategies for Fortune 50 business segments. She went to Temple University for my Bachelors in Sociology and Penn State for a Masters of Education. Her strengths include: Willingness to try new ideas and learn from mistakes. Strong team player. Committed to meeting deadlines. Scroll down for our Q&A!
PW Classmates: What do you do for work now? And what has your career path been?
Christine Bertino: I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after I graduated high school. I worked as a secretary for about six years. I was 22 years old and I was working in the training department for a franchise company. The company relocated to Chicago. I decided to pursue my bachelor’s degree and enrolled at Temple University. During my four years at Temple, I took a semester at their Rome campus. I fell in love with Italy. After completing my degree, I decided to go to Penn State Great Valley and get my master’s degree in education focusing on adult education. I worked for a few different companies over the years. After 26 years at Verizon, the company offered a package, and I retired in December of 2024.
My husband, Dennis Hannan, and I traveled a bit after we decided to retire. We went to Dollywood, Graceland, Italy, Mexico and Florida to visit his youngest daughter.
By the end of 2025, we decided to return to the workforce due to the cost of healthcare. My husband returned to being an insurance broker. I am very blessed to be currently working for Colonial School District as a part-time secretary in the transportation department. My mother used to be a secretary for Colonial, and my dad drove a bus; I can’t think of a better place for me to be.
PW Classmates: Tell us about your family.
Christine: I met Dennis on match.com 21 years ago. We’ve been married for 4 years, and live in Conshohocken. I don’t have any children. Dennis has three daughters. His oldest has five children, so I am a step-grammie.
PW Classmates: What did you dream of becoming when you were in high school?
Christine: I don’t think I dreamt of becoming anything. My father drilled into my head that benefits were super important, so I was always in search of a job with great benefits. I did find that with Verizon. I loved my job and was sad to leave the job and my co-workers behind. I am incredibly grateful to have worked my dream job.
PW Classmates: What advice would you give to your high school self?
Christine: My advice would be to relax and let life lead you where you need to be. If you do what you love, you’ll never go wrong.
PW Classmates: What advice do you have for others about creating your best life?
Christine: I try to avoid giving people advice; but I recommend exploring options and trying different things. Find the thing that makes you the happiest and then do that.
PW Classmates: What would you like to say to all of your classmates today?
Christine: To many of my classmates who didn’t know me, “it’s nice to meet you” lol. To those of you that I knew and we were friends; “thank you, you made my younger years memorable and cherished. I’m grateful for the time we shared”.
Connect with Christine by email: christine.bertino@gmail.com