A juvenile probation and parole officer who has spent years helping young people make positive choices through prevention education has been recognized as New Hampshire Instructor of the Year by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a leading national nonprofit dedicated to drug and violence prevention education.ย
Angela Bergeron, a Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer with New Hampshire Juvenile Probation and Parole, received the New Hampshire Instructor of the Year Award during L.E.A.D.’s 21st Century Drug & Violence Prevention Training Conference, held in early June at Harrahโs Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.ย
Bergeron was recognized for her commitment to delivering L.E.A.D.โs evidence-based drug and violence prevention curriculum to youth participating in the Nashua and Manchester Police Athletic League (PAL) Juvenile Court Diversion program.ย
โHonestly, I was completely caught off guard,โ Bergeron said of receiving the award.โReceiving this award was both humbling and exciting. Iโm incredibly grateful that my work is being recognized, and Iโm especially proud that it brings positive attention to my home state as well.โย
Bergeron began teaching the L.E.A.D. program in 2019 after learning about it through colleagues in neighboring agencies.ย
โI became interested because a program wasn’t being offered in my community,โBergeron said. โHaving always been passionate about prevention and youth development, becoming a L.E.A.D. instructor felt like a natural fit.โย
Bergeron began her career in law enforcement in 2005 and spent 18 years in policing, previously working for the Hooksett Police Department, including nine years as a School Resource Officer. In 2023, she transitioned into juvenile probation, where she continues working directly with young people and their families.ย
Through the Nashua and Manchester PAL Juvenile Court Diversion programs,Bergeron facilitates L.E.A.D. lessons designed to help youth develop healthy decision-making skills, build resilience, resist negative influences and strengthen relationships with trusted adults.ย
Founded in 1991, L.E.A.D. is a nationwide nonprofit organization that partners with law enforcement agencies and educators to deliver research-based prevention education focused on topics including substance abuse prevention, combatting bullying, and fostering responsible decision-making.ย
Bergeron said one of the strengths of the L.E.A.D. curriculum is its ability to connect with students through practical lessons and interactive activities.ย
โMy experience as a L.E.A.D. instructor has been incredibly rewarding,โ Bergeron said. โBefore joining L.E.A.D., I taught another prevention program for eight years, so I already understood the value of engaging youth through education and prevention. What I appreciate most about L.E.A.D. is its practical, relatable approach to important topics.โย
โThe curriculum allows me to connect with students in ways they understand, while the hands-on activities help reinforce key concepts and make lessons memorable,โBergeron added. โI also value the flexibility to personalize the program to reflect the unique needs of my community.โย
L.E.A.D. leadership praised Bergeron for her dedication to youth development and prevention education.ย
โAngela exemplifies the qualities that make L.E.A.D. instructors so impactful,โ saidL.E.A.D. Executive Director and CEO Nick DeMauro. โHer commitment to helping young people build confidence, make positive decisions and reach their full potential reflects the core mission of our organization. We are proud to recognize her as NewHampshire Instructor of the Year.โย
About L.E.A.D.
L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence) is a national 501(c)(3)nonprofit headquartered in Allentown, N.J., dedicated to equipping law enforcement agencies with the resources, training, and curriculum to deliver effective drug and violence prevention education in schools and communities. L.E.A.D. partners with agencies in all 50 states, supporting more than 7,000 trained instructors who reach
more than one million students in 2,500 school systems annually through the Botvin LifeSkillsยฎ Training curriculum. L.E.A.D. is funded through donations and grants.For more information, visit LEADrugs.org or call 609.259.2500.