Meet Gur Berman of Ben Gamla Charter School of Kendall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gur Berman.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Gur. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I worked for ten years in a private school setting until a former colleague invited me to visit her in a Ben Gamla school. That former colleague’s principal asked me if I’d be interested in working in a Ben Gamla school. Since Ben Gamla is a Hebrew language charter school and Hebrew is my first language, I said yes. I interviewed to be an assistant principal at a different Ben Gamla, worked in Ben Gamla schools as an assistant principal for three years and then became the principal of the Ben Gamla in Kendall.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always struggles; that’s what makes life and work interesting. I’d say the biggest challenge is figuring out how a Hebrew charter school fits into each community. For example, the demographics in Kendall have changed dramatically over the last twenty years. Our school used to be a private, Jewish school. When there were no longer enough families to sustain the school as a private school, it became a tuition-free charter school. Now Kendall is a predominately Spanish speaking community. Keeping our school relevant and desirable is a challenge that we embrace.

Ben Gamla Charter School of Kendall – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a public (and therefore tuition-free) charter school.

Shalom, Bienvenido, and welcome to Ben Gamla Kendall.

If you live near our school, you have many “A” rated schools to choose from. Why choose Ben Gamla?

Our Teachers.

Private School Environment.

We are a “No Put Down” School.

Unlike most charter schools, we have a counselor whose goal is to meet the social/emotional needs of our students.

Our Outstanding Art/Music Program.

Gifted Program.

Our Teachers.

I always start and end with our teachers because they are the reason that Niche.com rated us the 15th best public elementary school and 5th best Middle school in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, they are the reason that for the 7th year in a row, in 2017, we are an “A” rated school, and they are the reason our students love coming to school every day!

I am confident that the 2017-2018 school year will be even better. We will be welcoming outstanding new teachers, expanding the options of after-school clubs being offered, and introducing a new STEM program. If you are already enrolled in our school, you are in for a treat. If you are thinking about becoming a member of our school community, come by for a tour and learn what makes our school so unique.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The board members define success as our school being an A school, the school staying within budget, and students remaining safe. For me, if students and teachers are excited to come to school each day, that is my greatest success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bengamlakendall.org
• Phone: (305) 598-0556
• Email: gberman@bengamlakendall.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bengamlakendall/

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