Background:
Paola Bernal is a consultant with Bellwether in the Strategic Advising practice area and is a former summer fellow where she focused on charter expansion projects with the Texas Education Agency.
Prior to joining Bellwether, Paola spent several years teaching grades 5 and 6 at KIPP schools in Texas and California, after which she dove into education research at the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Albuquerque Public Schools, and the Department of Racial and Social Justice in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Paola holds a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s degree in education from Harvard Graduate School of Education’s education policy and analysis program.
Why I do this work:
As a first-generation, low-income Latina student, navigating school culture and systems was challenging and inaccessible. Although both of my immigrant parents had limited language proficiency and less than a middle school education, they acknowledged the value of education and its potential for achieving the American Dream. I am an advocate for racial and social justice and educational equity. I believe that regardless of background or family resources, all students should have access to high-quality education and be given opportunities to thrive.
Experience at Bellwether:
Data Collection and Analysis; Analysis
Client segments served:
K-12 Schools; Charter Schools
Contact information: