““They are themselves so full of the spirit of inquiry, so sensitive to every sign of its presence and absence, that no matter what they do, nor how they do it, they succeed in awakening and inspiring like alert and intense mental activity in those with whom they come in contact.””
Admin Team
Melissa Scott, Director
melissa@pandoschool.com
“What I adore about children is their authenticity; their fearless commitment to feeling their feelings, wondering together, and moving through life open to beauty and joy.”
Melissa first called Albuquerque home in 2016 after nearly a decade migrating from east coast to west. Despite brief forays into anthropology and journalism, she kept circling back to early childhood education. “I love this field: The people, the struggles, the joy, and the mess. Caring for kids while caring for ourselves and one another - I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Her passion for child care stems from her own experiences as a young child. “I was fortunate to have supportive and loving parents, but even so, my early years were hard. Life was just a little too much, too intense.” She created Pando to realize her vision for a space where children can be seen and loved in all their complexity, and where adults grow their capacity for joy. When she’s not at Pando, Melissa leans into her introverted side, relishing quiet time with her own young children, husband, and extended family.
Fernando Vidal, Program Manager
Fernando@pandoschool.com
“It’s not about what you do with your life, it’s about finding where you belong.”
Fernando grew up in Sonora, Mexico, and spent his childhood straddling two worlds - his extended family enjoyed pools and paid help, and his immediate family lived in a neighborhood where butchering your own chicken for dinner was routine. “I have seen both sides, and I don’t judge anyone.” Through his formative years, his grandfather ensured Fernando’s life was filled with moments of joy. These early experiences, coupled with an intense period in his early adulthood, guide his work with children, families, and teachers: “I want to give back some of what I experienced in my own childhood. I want the first experiences of the children in our care to be positive and happy. We all deserve the opportunity to find where we belong.” In 2013 Fernando moved to the United States, married, and returned to school, retaking the math, physics, and computer science courses he had previously completed in Mexico. Fernando joins Pando with expertise in management, bookkeeping, and computer science. Fernando is bilingual in both Spanish and English.
