Nieves Carrales, the principal of Somerset Elementary School, successfully leads a bustling campus of 725 students and 65 professional faculty. Children are her passion. They are the reason she lies awake at night; the reason she gets up in the morning. Because of her unwavering focus on learners, she works with and alongside her team in expected and unexpected ways. It is not unusual to find Ms. Carrales teaching a math class, analyzing assessment data, playing on the playground, conferring with a parent, or modeling an instructional strategy. She champions students in all their endeavors from the classroom to the basketball court to the AG barn. She supports teachers through timely professional development, resource acquisition, and the creation of a culture of positivity and appreciation. It is evident, she believes in the whole child approach, elevating teacher practice, and authentically integrating herself into the community she serves all while promoting a strong school-home connection.

Ms. Carrales’ accomplishments are grounded in her rich experiences and quality educational background. She received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M Kingsville and earned a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Texas Tech University. She joined the Somerset ISD family in 2016 as a highly-effective teacher, was promoted to mentor teacher, was selected to serve as assistant principal in 2018, and advanced to the principalship in 2021. 

During her tenure, Somerset Elementary School has been rated as a Texas Education Agency (TEA) A rated campus, recognized as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon Awardee, and named a National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Founder’s Award Finalist. Additionally, through her leadership fourteen campus level educators have been recognized through the TEA Teacher Incentive Allotment. Elevating excellence is the hallmark of Ms. Carrales educational approach.