Dallas Bradel

B.A., Lehigh University
J.D., Duquesne University School of Law
M.Div., M.A., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 

dallas (dot) bradel (at) newhopetutorials (dot) org

Dallas Bradel grew up in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where she loved to daydream and read stories.  Her interest in language and literature led to a German major in college, opening for her opportunities to travel and study abroad.  Dallas graduated from Lehigh University with a B.A. and went on to study law at Duquesne University. Law school turned out to be a huge disappointment, having little to do with Dallas’ vague notions of justice and fair play, but it did teach her how to think critically and articulate her thoughts in front of an audience.  She earned her J.D., passed the Pennsylvania bar exam, and practiced law briefly.

In the mean time, Dallas had discovered an energizing joy in teaching young children at her church.  The process of discovering God’s call to children’s ministry eventually led Dallas to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  She decided to pursue a Master of Divinity degree in order to delve into languages and biblical interpretation as a foundation for Christian education.  Adding coursework for an M.A. in Counseling enabled her to learn more about family systems and working with children, and to serve as an intern at North Shore Children’s Hospital and in the Child and Adolescent Program at McLean Hospital.

Following seminary graduation, Dallas was called to serve as Director of Children’s Ministry at a church in Connecticut and later as Associate Pastor for Christian Education at a church in North Carolina.  She has also served as a school chaplain, as a middle-school Bible and Latin teacher, and as founder of Girls Making History, a hands-on program that teaches girls about American history as a springboard for thinking critically about popular culture.

Dallas’ love of language and stories continues unabated.  It has led her to work on an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and to teaching writing privately and as a tutor at New Hope.  Dallas has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the families at New Hope via several writing workshops for 4th and 5th graders, and she looks forward to sharing lively discussion and adventures in writing with 6th and 7th graders in the Mini-Tutorial.