Nancy Bernardino is the principal of John Quincy Adams Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. She has over 15 years of experience working in Dallas ISD schools, including as an associate principal, academic coordinator, and teacher. Under her leadership, John Quincy Adams Elementary has achieved significant academic gains and received numerous honors and distinctions for excellence. Bernardino holds several advanced degrees and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. She was born in Mexico and raised in Dallas.

1. Nancy
A.
Bernardino
Biography
Nancy Bernardino believes that all children can learn! She is the principal of John Quincy
Adams Elementary, an elementary school in Pleasant Grove which feeds into Samuell High
School. She has served the families of Dallas ISD since 2005 in various capacities including
associate principal, academic coordinator, and teacher. In the Fall of 2014 Bernardino was one
of six principals in Dallas ISD who earned and Exemplary rating. Additionally, in 2013, she was
honored as the Principal of the Year by the Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Since her time at John Q. Adams, the campus has achieved double digit gains in every subject
area. Last, year John Q. Adams was one of five schools in Dallas ISD that earned all six
distinctions from the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, the campus was just named one of
the best urban schools in the nation and is the recipient of the Excellence in Urban Education
Award, given by the National Center for Urban School Transformation.
Born in Mexico and raised in Dallas, Nancy is the first in her family to earn a Bachelor’s degree.
She earned a Master of Education from Texas A&M Commerce as well as the following degrees
from Southern Methodist University: Master of Liberal Arts, Advanced Graduate Studies in
Dispute Resolution, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and
Corporate Communications. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in PK-12 Education at Southern
Methodist University. Nancy is a graduate of The Hockaday School and currently lives in Dallas
with her husband, Agustin, and their four boys.