Dr. Michelle Bernat, Head of School, Pardes Jewish Day School

I’m Dr. Michelle Bernat, head of school of Pardes Jewish Day School.

Pardes is a community school located in Scottsdale, Arizona, focused on exceptional secular academic Jewish studies, meaningful Jewish learning and character development. We aim to help children understand how to be good people and make a difference in the world.

Michelle Bernat emphasizes the importance of relationships between teachers and students, noting that small classroom sizes facilitate personalized attention. The school is dedicated to ensuring that students receive the support they need, regardless of their starting point.

A key component of the educational approach is project-based learning, which engages students in real-world problem-solving related to their interests. For example, students might explore topics like heart health or the history of Jewish cooking, fostering a deep connection to their learning.

Additionally, we highlight the importance of teaching students about their responsibility to contribute positively to the world, stressing that they should understand their role in a larger community. This includes developing character traits like grit and a commitment to values, aiming to nurture good citizens who can lead and make a difference.

Our students must learn not only things that interest them but also those that challenge them further. We cover core subjects like reading, writing, math, social studies and science while also offering music, musical theater, physical education and a Makerspace that fosters design thinking and problem-solving.

In the Makerspace, students can take their ideas from conception to prototype, engaging in hands-on projects. Our academic program is designed to result in tangible outcomes, allowing students to create and present their work to the community, which ensures a meaningful and fulfilling learning experience.

In our character development program, we focus on teaching kids to be curious and attentive to the world around them. Innovation for us goes beyond just a program; it influences everything we do, from our master schedule to the choices and voices we provide for students.

For example, in our Makerspace, kindergartners work on projects like creating birdhouses to learn how to help the environment. They explore which designs positively impact local bird populations by testing different birdhouses in our Biblical garden, where we grow fruits and vegetables mentioned in the Bible. This hands-on experience encourages them to identify problems and develop solutions. As students progress to upper grades and middle school, we empower them to recognize and address the challenges they see in the world around them.

Our faculty members are not only credentialed and hold advanced degrees, but they are also deeply committed to understanding each child. They pay attention to important aspects of their students’ lives, such as their interests and relationships, which help foster strong connections. This focus on relationships extends to parents as well. Additionally, our teachers collaborate to develop engaging lessons, making them truly exceptional educators.

We’re proud that 79 percent of our students participate in athletics, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and personal improvement. We want every child, even those who have never been on a sports team before, to learn how to be part of a team while enhancing their own athletic skills. We offer 16 different sports teams, including flag football, volleyball, basketball, tennis and golf. Our dedicated coaches focus on building both team spirit and individual responsibility among our athletes.

At Pardes, we aim to nurture children not just academically but also by developing a strong character that enables them to make a difference in the world. We emphasize collaboration, problem-solving and understanding multiple perspectives on issues. In our math curriculum, for example, we teach students to think creatively about solutions to problems that may not even exist yet. This approach is crucial, especially in a world facing complex political and economic challenges.

We want our students to face future challenges with grace, gratitude and a proactive mindset. Hope alone isn’t enough; action is essential. We invite those who wish to join us in creating future leaders—individuals who can solve problems and foster community around shared challenges.

We emphasize the importance of being rooted in Jewish values, rich history and traditions that promote universal principles such as respect, kindness, community and repairing the world. These values are accessible to everyone. We also focus on teaching Jewish texts, like the Torah, which helps students understand history and encourages them to approach challenges in new ways. Our commitment to tradition, ritual and communal practices makes our school special.

I’m proud to lead a community that cares so much—not just about academics but about the world and the people we’re helping. They’ve entrusted us with their most precious gift: their children. We’re truly lucky to serve in this way within this community.