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.
Lauren Kreisberger
Director of Admissions and Outreach
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.
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 kayaking, and frequently attends college, Spring Training, and Dbacks 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.
Jessica Mannon
Director of Advancement
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jessica brings 13 years of experience in Development to Pardes as the Director of Advancement. After moving to Arizona two years ago, she previously held the same position at the Jewish Community Center. Jessica holds Master’s degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and earned a Certificate in Israel Education from the iCenter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Together, they enjoy backpacking, running, hiking, and all things outdoors.
You can contact Jessica Mannon at jmannon@pardesschool.org.
Rayshelle Webb
Director of Finance
Originally from St. Louis, MO, Rayshelle joined Pardes in April 2025 as our Director of Finance, bringing over 15 years of accounting experience with here. After spending some time in Austin, TX, and several months of travel, she settled in Arizona in 2023. Rayshelle holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, a BS in Accounting from Dominican University, and an AA from Bard College at Simon’s Rock. She is certified in Facilities Management and Lean Six Sigma. In her spare time, Rayshelle enjoys designing and building living spaces.
You can contact Rayshelle Webb at rwebb@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.
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.
Pamela Pointer
Director of Athletics
Coach Pointer served as the Co-Director of Athletics in 2024-25 and will assume the role of sole Director of Athletics for the 2025-26 School Year. This is only Coach Pointer’s third year at Pardes, but she has been teaching and coaching for more than 25 years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Memphis and a Master’s in Education from Belhaven University.
You can contact Ronnie Whitehead at rwhitehead@pardesschool.org.