The Faculty of
New Hope Academy Middle School
"Get to know the teachers"

Mr. Barry Cohen teaches core subjects for seventh grade, as well as Algebra 1/Geometry Honors since 2000. Hailing from New York City, Mr. Cohen earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Shippensburg University. He has been teaching since 1969; grades 6-12 (including 4 years at Sandy Spring Friends School in Montgomery County), university classes (including Trinity University and Potomac College in D.C.), as well as continuing education for adults. Mr. Cohen taught overseas for eight years in Liberia and six years in the former Soviet Union. For over 16 summers he’s been the instructor for the Johns Hopkins University gifted and talented middle school course entitled “Inductive and Deductive Reasoning”.

Professional math journals have published 23 of Mr. Cohen’s mathematical investigations with students. The National Security Agency is in the process of publishing a math unit he co-authored entitled “Playing with Primes”. His ability to explain things clearly, in simple terms, and in a logical fashion, is a special talent. “I see teaching as a calling,” said Mr. Cohen. “It’s not just a job to me. It’s something I’ve been given as a gift.”

Mrs. Beverly Berndt teaches core subjects for the sixth grade as well as HS Algebra 1. She was born in Massachusetts where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Northeastern University in Boston. Berndt has taught at NHA since 1990. She loves the school and had her four children also attend. “To me this is the greatest testimony to our school,” she said, “that all the teachers want to have their own children here, because we know the quality of education they receive.”

Not only is “Mrs. Bev” a dedicated teacher, she deeply believes in helping others, a trait she instills in her students. With the support of the NHA families, staff, and principal, Mrs. Bev and her husband have developed “Side by Side in The Gambia,” a service project in The Gambia, West Africa. Many of New Hope Alumni have accompanied her to work with Gambian youth, promoting international and inter-religious understanding. Mrs. Bev has received several recognitions including the Ambassador of Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation.

She was named “Greatest Person of the Day,” by the Huffington Post and was presented the Shining World Compassion Award by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, an international meditation and philanthropic association.