Giving Tuesday – Archway Chandler

Finding Joy 

Parents send their children to school with the expectation that they will learn and grow. They wish to see their students flourish amidst the books and teachers. They chose a school for their child to explore and develop, just as teachers chose a school that inspires them. “This school has my entire heart,” says Archway Chandler teacher Mrs. Pilar Bernal. “Students are hardworking, teachers are dedicated, and what we teach matters and has purpose.”

Mrs. Bernal, who originally hails from Mexico City, came to the United States with a degree in Computer Science. She later became a teacher to learn English. With her own two children in school, she started teaching first grade at a charter school in Arizona. While there, she realized that “teaching is what I was born to do.” Between teaching English to 5th graders back in Mexico City and 2nd graders in Arizona, Mrs. Bernal found Great Hearts Archway Chandler. Moving from a part-time Spanish teacher to a full-time lead teacher is when suddenly everything clicked. She experienced absolute delight when teaching the classical curriculum.

Widening the horizons of her scholars has given her great meaning and purpose. “The school, the message, mission, purpose and everything we do in Classical Education is so profound.” Mrs. Bernal made the difficult decision over a year ago to switch to a school much closer to home to pioneer a dual language teaching program. Within weeks, she was heartsick, missing Archway Chandler for its community, the faculty, the literature, the students. She quickly realized that schools are not all the same!

“Once you have been an educator within a classical curriculum, you cannot go back…. you know it’s something better!” When the opportunity to return to Archway Chandler presented itself, Mrs. Bernal did not hesitate to contact her former colleagues. She gained a perspective that she’s never had before during her year away. The culture, mindset and community of the school make all the difference. “I had a welcoming back filled with hugs, tears, and joy. Archway Chandler has given me a place to belong, a place I call home.”