Principal, Nalle Elementary School

Principal Kim Burke-Adutwum is in her ninth year as principal at Nalle Elementary School. Under her unwavering and focused leadership, Nalle moved from being a school in need of significant targeted supports to an example of what it means to be a rising school in DCPS. She has built a strong community by retaining her best staff, increasing enrollment, and building strong partnerships with community groups like the Kennedy Center and Washington Performing Arts Society which have provided students with unique cultural experiences.

Her desire to become an educator was first sparked in Portland, Jamaica, where she admired her teachers at a very young age because of their caring and academically challenging approaches. These experiences helped create an enthusiasm for learning that she strove to impart to her own students once she became a science teacher at Tubman Elementary School in Washington D.C. Because of her love for teaching, she eventually decided she wanted to serve as a leader and supporter of teachers. “I don’t recall one of my ten years of teaching that I did not want to go to work, so I could not imagine myself outside the classroom. But once I answered the call, I realized that I am not really out of the classroom, I am actually in many more, impacting even more students and improving teacher practice simultaneously.” 

Principal Burke-Adutwum’s positive influence has extended beyond her students and into the families and community she serves.  “When I first arrived at Nalle, I had a core group of committed and engaged parents, many of whom did not complete high school and were struggling to take care of their families - so we made pre-GED and GED classes available for them.” Not only did these parents earn high school diplomas, but they also went on to get college degrees and are now an inspiration for others in the community. This experience encouraged Principal Burke-Adutwum to continue developing academically talented scholars and a strong community at Nalle.