Senior Leadership Team
Dr. Michelle Bernat
Head of School
Dr. Michelle Bernat graduated from the University of Arizona, where she received a degree in Philosophy and Jewish Studies. Michelle earned her Masters in curricular integration and cultural diversity. Her doctorate is in Educational Leadership, focused on Organizational Change, from California State University, Fullerton. She has received recognitions as Administrator of the Year and Woman of the Year. Michelle has presented on curricular integration, assessment, writing instruction, standards-based grading, TaNaKh Standards, and differentiation nationally. She is a published author of books in education.
You can contact Dr. Bernat at mbernat@pardesschool.org.
Ally Anderson
Principal
Altreana (Ally) Anderson was born at Ft. Hood, TX, and raised as an Army brat, moving every three years. With 14 years of experience teaching elementary education, she previously served as General Studies Principal at Shearim Torah High School. Having lived in Arizona for 30 years, Ally holds a Master’s in Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University and an undergraduate degree in Counseling. Outside of work, she enjoys running, spending time with family, reading, and tackling home improvement projects.
You can contact Ally Anderson at aanderson@pardesschool.org
Rabbi Baruch Rock
Director of Jewish Life & Learning
Rabbi Baruch Rock has dedicated 24 years to Jewish education. Born and raised in New York, he recently relocated from California to Arizona. Rabbi Rock previously taught at Irvine Hebrew Day School and is known for his innovative methods. He holds a BA from NYU, an MA from Ben Gurion University, and his Rabbinic Ordination from The Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Rabbinical Seminary. A certified Wilderness First Responder and active in Jewish educational initiatives, Rabbi Rock also enjoys traveling, camping, and Torah study.
You can contact Rabbi Rock at rabbirock@pardesschool.org.
Steven Machson
Director of Enrollment and Outreach
Steven Machson was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and has lived in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and the United States. He recently moved to the Valley from Mexico City, where he was the Director of Admissions at Greengates School, and he brings with him nearly 11 years of experience in admissions across higher education and private K-12 institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Management from the University of New Mexico. In his free time, Steven enjoys spending time with family, nurturing existing and new friendships, traveling, scuba diving along Mexico’s coasts, attending live sports events, plane-spotting, studying maps, and reading books on geopolitics and history.
You can contact Steven Machson at smachson@pardesschool.org.
Tom Radz
Director of Communications and Marketing
Tom Radz, originally from the Chicagoland area, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Illinois University. He started his career as an assistant editor of a daily newspaper, before becoming the Director of Marketing for Athletics at WIU. After teaching communications at the college level for nearly a decade, Tom moved to the Valley and returned to marketing. He enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and mountain biking, and frequently attends college, Spring Training, and D-backs games.
You can contact Tom Radz at tradz@pardesschool.org.
Sarah Jones
Director of Human Resources
Sarah Jones brings over a decade of HR and management experience to her role. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sarah recently relocated to Arizona after 8 years in education and 10+ years in HR. Before joining Pardes, she worked at Greenville Public Schools. Sarah holds an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College and is currently pursuing SHRM certification. She was honored as GPS Staff Member of the Year for 2022-2023. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and dogs.
You can contact Sarah Jones at sjones@pardesschool.org.
Johanna Noon
Advancement Consultant
Bio Coming Soon.
You can contact Johanna Noon at jnoon@pardesschool.org.
Administration
Brittany Donnelly
Assistant Principal
Brittany Donnelly was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. With 11 years of teaching experience and 3 years in administration, she recently joined Pardes as the Assistant Principal. Brittany recently relocated to Arizona from Ohio, where she taught at two private schools. Her role at Pardes involves supporting both students and teachers, focusing on academic and behavioral challenges. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, a Master’s in Middle Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Toledo, and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Lourdes University.
You can contact Brittany Donnelly at bdonnelly@pardesschool.org.
Mary Passell
Dean of Students
Mary Passell has been an educator in the field for over 20 years, primarily working in independent schools teaching grades first through fourth. She has a Master of Arts in Jewish Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College as well as a BS in Family Studies and Child Development from the University of Arizona. Mrs. Passell also received an elementary (K-8) teaching certification from Arizona State University and is an alumnus of the JECELI (Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute) Cohort 3. She is trained in Mindfulness Meditation and has presented on Jewish Mindfulness at various conferences, including Mindfulness for Educators at the ECE-RJ Peace in our Time conference. Mrs. Passell was the Director of Temple Chai’s Early Childhood Center for nine years and is excited to be back in the classroom as teaching is her passion. Mrs. Passell is an Arizona native and is married with two teenage children.
You can contact Mary Passell at mpassell@pardesschool.org.
Jennifer Castle
K-8 Counselor
Jennifer Castle was born and raised in Findlay, Ohio. She has lived in Arizona for 17 years, having moved from New Orleans. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Social Psychology from Park University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A U.S. Air Force Veteran, she is licensed as a Master Social Worker in Arizona and certified in K-12 School Counseling and School Social Work. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys family game nights, hiking, vacations with her three children, working out, traveling, and movie nights.
You can contact Jennifer Castle at jcastle@pardesschool.org.
Lauren Kreisberger
Admissions Experience Coordinator
Lauren Kreisberger was born and raised on Long Island, NY. With 21 years of teaching experience, she previously taught at Bellerose PS 133 in New York City before relocating to Arizona in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Education with a concentration in Jewish Studies from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Reading Education from Adelphi University. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dogs. Her extensive experience and passion for early childhood education enrich her work with young learners.
You can contact Lauren Kreisberger at lkreisberger@pardesschool.org.
Laurie Burckhardt
Learning Support Coordinator
Laurie Burckhardt is excited to start her 13th year as part of the Pardes family and her 20th year in Jewish day schools. She’s been a professional educator for over 25 years. Mrs. Burckhardt coordinates learning support for grades K-8 and works directly with middle school students and teachers. Previously, she taught math, science, language arts, and general studies in public schools, private schools, Jewish day schools, and tutoring centers in Illinois, Colorado, and Arizona. In addition, she has run resource and gifted enrichment programs and served as a tutor and academic coach. Mrs. Burckhardt’s undergraduate degree is from the University of Arizona. She has a master’s degree in teaching and holds an Arizona highly qualified teaching license with gifted education and structured English immersion endorsements. Her passion is teaching all types of learners and helping each child build knowledge and self-confidence while increasing their skills and developing a love of learning. Mrs. Burckhardt is a proud alumni parent, too. Her son is a graduate of Pardes.
You can contact Laurie Burckhardt at lburckhardt@pardesschool.org.
Nicole De Palma
Science & Innovation Coordinator
During her 15-year career in education, Nicole De Palma has taught a wide range of subjects including science, history, technology, and art to grades K-12. Ms. DePalma graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in History from UC Riverside and has a Masters degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University. Last year, she went through the ISTE certification process and earned her certificate for demonstrating mastery of the ISTE Standards for Educators. Before joining Pardes, she was the manager and lead educator of an intergenerational STEM Studio located in San Diego where she developed curriculum, led classes, and ran their summer camp program for kindergarten through eighth grades. Her work history also includes working at the San Diego Natural History Museum as the lead educator for their School in the Park program where she taught science classes to Grades 4–8. The 2024 – 2025 school year will be Ms. De Palma’s fifth year at Pardes. When not at school she spends her time with her family, out in nature, reading, crafting, practicing photography, and traveling.
You can contact Nicole DePalma at ndepalma@pardesschool.org.
Ronnie Whitehead
Director of Athletics
Ronnie Whitehead has been a part of Pardes for 7 years as a coach, three years as a physical education teacher and three years as a math teacher. Coach Whitehead earned his Bachelor’s degree In Special Education and Elementary Education from Arizona State University. Prior to becoming a full time teacher at Pardes, Coach Whitehead worked as a behavioral health technician in the foster home system for eight years. When not at school, Coach Whitehead enjoys spending time with his wife, son and family in Flagstaff.
You can contact Ronnie Whitehead at rwhitehead@pardesschool.org.