Beyond the Classroom: Kendra Pasek

The seventh graders could barely contain their excitement. With iPads in hand and eyes wide with curiosity, they gathered around to "talk" with Abraham Lincoln. Thanks to a powerful AI simulation — part of Mrs. Kendra Pasek’s innovative social studies lesson — students weren’t just learning about the 16th President of the United States. They were asking him questions. And he was answering.

That kind of engagement was exactly what Mrs. Pasek aimed for.

“I want them to feel like history matters to their lives,” she said. “When students interact with AI to speak with historical figures, it’s no longer just facts and dates. They’re critically thinking, questioning, making connections — it sticks.”

At Timothy Christian Schools, academic rigor goes beyond the textbook. In Mrs. Pasek’s classroom, it’s hands-on, personalized, and deeply thoughtful.

A former 6th grade teacher who recently earned her Master’s in special education, Mrs. Pasek teaches 7th grade social studies and 8th grade Bible. She’s especially passionate about teaching middle schoolers — not just because of what they’re learning, but who they’re becoming.

“This age group is amazing,” she said. “They’re curious. They’re capable. And they’re growing in every way — spiritually, emotionally, academically.”

This age group is amazing. They’re curious. They’re capable. And they’re growing in every way — spiritually, emotionally, academically.”

She’s also passionate about executive functioning — the skills that help students plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. “Middle schoolers are still learning how to manage their time and stay organized,” she explained. “So I don’t just teach history. I teach them how to be students.”

That means scaffolding note-taking, using checklists, and modeling each step clearly. It also means giving students the time and space to practice those skills. During Focus Period, a designated time in the school day for academic support, Mrs. Pasek pulls students into small groups for more targeted instruction based on their needs.

“It gives me the chance to reteach, extend, or challenge depending on what they need,” she said. “Some students need more support. Some need enrichment. Focus Period is where we can make that happen.”

Differentiated learning is at the core of how she teaches. She’s constantly adapting her instruction to meet students where they are. “We’re always asking, ‘How can we help each student grow?’” she said. “It’s not about every student doing the exact same thing. It’s about helping every student grow from where they started.”

Collaboration is part of Timothy’s teaching philosophy. Mrs. Pasek works closely with her fellow middle school teachers to align lessons and create cross-disciplinary experiences. “I love collaborating with my teammates,” she said. “Through our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), we regularly share ideas and align lessons across subjects. That way, students see how everything connects.”

“During our Civil War unit, my students were reading historical fiction in English Language Arts while we were learning about the real events in social studies. It helps everything feel more connected — for us as teachers, and especially for the kids.”

Her 8th grade Bible class mirrors the intentionality and rigor of her history lessons, blending discussion-based learning with a deep, Scripture-rooted approach. It’s designed to help students wrestle with truth, think deeply, and apply what they’re learning to real life.

“We can’t always see what the future looks like,” she told her class one day, “but we know that God knows what is happening and what's going to come, and He has a plan for us.”

By sharing her own stories, she encourages her students to be vulnerable as well. Together, they talk about identity, doubt, joy, purpose, and trust in God. “It’s one of my favorite parts of the day,” she said. “They ask hard questions. They want to know how to live out their faith in the real world. I get to help them see that the Bible actually speaks into that.”

While academic growth is the heartbeat of her classroom, Mrs. Pasek also keeps a watchful eye on the social-emotional needs of her students. “Middle school can be tough,” she said. “They’re figuring out who they are and where they belong.”

She is constantly checking in with students. In fact, she makes it her mission to cultivate a safe and encouraging environment.

Her holistic approach to education — combining academic rigor, technological innovation, Biblical worldview, and social-emotional awareness — is what makes Timothy Christian Schools stand out. Her passion for middle schoolers is contagious, and she sees it as a privilege to be part of their growth.

“They’re becoming who they’re going to be,” she said. “And I get to be part of that. What a gift.”