A mother, community leader and director of a nonprofit organization, District 9 Trustee Bernadette Nutall is a tireless advocate for quality educational opportunities and social services in the 30 schools in her district, which encompasses South Dallas, and parts of downtown, Pleasant Grove and East Dallas.
Nutall has served on the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees since 2010. She says the most satisfying part of the job is witnessing the brilliance and resilience of young people. Even in the face of challenges, she says, the students are still succeeding. That awareness keeps her going.
She credits her fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Mason, at Haynes Elementary in Killeen, Texas, with modeling and teaching her that success requires hard work and persistence.
“She was an inspiring teacher who taught me not only academics but to believe in myself,” Nutall said. “She helped me to understand my place in the world, and taught us that black is beautiful, and that we could succeed in life.”
Both her board service and her professional life focus on care and concern for young people. As director of the nonprofit organization, Circle of Support, she works to provide summer learning opportunities for young people in grades kindergarten through nine. The program’s curriculum is designed to prevent summer learning loss and to help bridge the achievement opportunity gap.
Nutall says she seeks to live up to the philosophy that to whom much is given, much is required.
“Every day you have to get up, keep giving, keep going and keep working to make the world a better place,” she said.
She hopes her efforts will serve as an inspiration to young women who will one day follow in her footsteps. Her advice to these aspiring young leaders: “Always remember you were created to make a difference. Follow your passion, and don’t let anyone talk you out of realizing your dreams.”
