Dimitri Bernadel will now be serving as Birchwood Intermediate School’s new Assistant Principal. Since childhood, Bernadel always felt drawn to leadership roles and education. In his youth, he was a camp counselor during the summer for the Coleman County Day Camp. He worked with fourth graders and immediately felt a connection to it, knowing this would be something he would pursue in the future.
“I loved working with kids,” Bernadel said. “I love the effect that I saw it was having on the kids.” He refers to this type of job as “rewarding,” a feeling that you “don’t get from anywhere else.”
Bernadel has had experience with a range of age groups, from a camp counselor for fourth graders to coaching high school teams, most notably with soccer. When he went into education, he knew elementary school, specifically between grades three and five, was where he was meant to be. “They’re old enough to be independent, and young enough for you to be a little silly, and have fun with that,” he commented.
His prior experience as a third and sixth grade teacher, along with a District Instructional Coach, has given Bernadel a well-rounded idea of the curriculum for younger students and to really see how they progress through the years. It enabled him to find the best way to support the students, teachers and parents.
As Assistant Principal, Bernadel plans to ensure that all students and families feel welcomed and included along with an appreciative understanding that they play an integral role in the school district. He wants students to receive the best education possible, both in and outside their curriculum. “I want them to understand how to be the best version of themselves,” he said.
Outside of the schools, Bernadel loves to cook and loves sports. He plays soccer, football and coaches for HBC Soccer here on Long Island. He also loves to spend time with his family, including his wife Jillian, a Special Education teacher in Jamaica, Queens, and his two children Oliver, a third grader, and Madeline, a first grader.
Bernadel is eager to begin his position as Assistant Principal at Birchwood. “It couldn’t have been a better wheelhouse for me,” he concluded.
About Mr. Dimitri Bernadel:
Mr. Dimitri Bernadel began his path to education first with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences at Binghamton University. He then received a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Teaching in Elementary Education from the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. Bernadel then received his Post Master’s Advanced Certificate in School Building and School District Leadership from the School of Professional Development at Stony Brook University. He has also received several certifications including the New York State School Building Leader Initial Certificate, the New York State School District Leader Professional Certificate, and the New York State Childhood 1-6 Professional Certification. Among these certifications Bernadel has an array of awards and honors, including the Hinman College Commencement Senior Speaker Award (May 2005), a Fordham University School of Education Commencement Speaker (May 2007), the Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education (March 2007), the Elmont UFSD’s Going the Extra Mile Award (June 2020), and most recently the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Regional Equity Champion Award (May 2022).
From August 2007 to June 2009, Bernadel was a 6th and 7th grade math teacher at P.S./M.S. 105Q in Far Rockaway. From August 2009 to June 2021, he was a 3rd and 6th grade teacher at Gotham Avenue School. From August 2005 to May 2007, he was a Resident Director at Fordham University. From August 2017 to now, he is the Director of Girls’ Soccer Program at the Starrs Soccer Academy. From June 1999 to August 2021, he was the Supervisor of Explorer Division for Coleman Country Day Camp. Most recently from June 2021 to now, he was the District Instructional Coach for the Elmont Union Free School District.