Bernice Christenson graduated from Moorhead High School in 1936. While at Moorhead High School, she played saxophone in the band and was a member of the orchestra and chorus. Christenson earned a bachelor’s degree in education from George Pepperdine College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California.

Christenson spent 30 years working for the Los Angeles City School System. She served in various roles, including as curriculum supervisor for 600 elementary schools in Los Angeles. During that time she also wrote and received numerous grants for the Los Angeles City Schools and initiated and developed curriculum materials in reading and English.

At the same time, Christenson was an author and coauthor for major publishers such as Ginn and Company, Houghton Mifflin, and Harcourt, Brace and Jovanovich, and she wrote educational television series for the San Diego City Schools and Hanna Barbera. Prior to her retirement Christenson worked for five years as Director of Alumni and Public Affairs at the University of Southern California’s School of Education.

Besides being a member of numerous state and national education organizations, Christenson also served as a national speaker on various topics in language and reading development. Christenson has done volunteer work at the USC University Hospital and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, for Town of Gown of USC, and at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. In 1982 she received the Tommy Trojan Trophy, the General Alumni highest service award, from USC.

Bernice is married to James Christenson and has one daughter, Penny Baisley, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She lives in La Cañada Flintridge, California.