Relational and mission-driven educational leader with over a decade of experience fostering excellence in early childhood and elementary education. Recognized for cultivating joyful, inclusive, and developmentally responsive learning communities where teachers thrive and children flourish. A strong record of instructional leadership, faculty development, and family engagement—grounded in a deep belief in equity, community partnership, and the whole-child approach.
Hi, I’m
Yanika T. Burke
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Overview
11
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Harlem Children’s Zone, GEMS Preschool
Education Director
10.2023 - 06.2025
Job overview
- Lead a dynamic early childhood program serving 100 students across five classrooms within the nationally recognized Harlem Children’s Zone network. Supervise and coach 15 educators, overseeing program quality, faculty development, and family engagement initiatives.
- Fostered an environment of collaboration and continuous growth, achieving 80% staff retention for the 2025–2026 school year.
- Guided instructional practice and professional learning, with 70% of teachers meeting or exceeding CLASS observation benchmarks by year-end.
- Designed and facilitated data-informed coaching cycles, enabling teachers to strengthen small-group instruction and align with developmental best practices and Common Core standards.
- Partnered with family support staff to deliver quarterly parent engagement workshops, including culturally affirming events such as Heritage Doll Day and Breakfast with Dads, promoting family connection and belonging.
- Collaborated with the Dean of School Culture to implement individualized support and behavioral plans for scholars with special needs, ensuring inclusive, nurturing classroom environments.
BumbleBeesRUs Early Childhood Center
Center Director
10.2021 - 09.2023
Job overview
- Directed all aspects of a busy early learning center serving children ages 3–5, providing instructional leadership, staff development, and community engagement.
- Supervised, coached, and evaluated a team of teachers, facilitating quarterly professional development sessions aligned with program goals and CLASS observation trends.
- Achieved 100% family retention during the 2021–2022 school year through consistent communication, family events, and intentional community-building.
- Established schoolwide initiatives such as Family Movie Night, Mother’s Day Brunch, and Father’s Day Frames to strengthen relationships and foster a sense of belonging.
Empower Lower Elementary School
First Grade SPED Lead Teacher & Grade Level Leader
08.2019 - 10.2021
Job overview
- Delivered rigorous, inclusive instruction in an ICT classroom while leading the grade-level team in curriculum alignment, data analysis, and instructional strategy development.
- Facilitated weekly team meetings to review student progress, share best practices, and strengthen instructional coherence across classrooms.
- Collaborated with the instructional coach to identify and address trends in student performance, improving literacy and math outcomes.
- Co-led schoolwide initiatives including Curriculum Night, Homework Hall, and Afterschool Tutoring to support students needing targeted academic intervention.
Achievement First Linden Elementary School
Kindergarten SPED Lead Teacher
07.2016 - 06.2019
Job overview
- Delivered developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to the New York State Common Core while providing specialized supports for students with IEPs.
- Served as a Resident Advisor, mentoring a teacher-in-residence through targeted coaching, classroom modeling, and professional goal setting—resulting in their successful transition to a full-time teaching role.
- Cultivated a classroom environment rooted in warmth, structure, and high expectations, consistently demonstrating growth in student achievement and engagement.
FirstStepNYC
Toddler Lead Teacher
08.2014 - 07.2016
Job overview
- Launched teaching career as a Teach for America Corps Member, serving in under-resourced communities to close early achievement gaps.
- Designed and implemented individual education plans to support holistic child development across social-emotional, linguistic, and cognitive domains.
- Conducted authentic assessments and collaborated with families to track and celebrate growth milestones.
Education
Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
M.S.Ed. from Special Education (Birth–Grade 2)
01.2016
University Overview
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
B.A. from Political Science & African American Studies
01.2014
University Overview
Skills
- Instructional Coaching & Faculty Development
- Data-Driven Teaching & Learning Systems
- Early Childhood Program Leadership
- Family & Community Engagement
- Inclusive Education / IEP Implementation
- Curriculum Design: CKLA, Eureka Math, ST Math, CLASS, GOLD, Ounce Scale
- Culturally Responsive Teaching & DEIB in Early Learning
- Microsoft Suite
- Illuminate Education
- Whetstone Education
- ChildPlus
- Childcare CRM
- Canva
- Adobe Photoshop
- Data analysis
- Staff development
- Instructional leadership
- Curriculum alignment
- Special education strategies
- Classroom coaching
- Family engagement
- Program quality oversight
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Teach For America Alumni Network
- Harlem Children’s Zone
Certification
NYS SWD B-2 Professional Certificate
Timeline
Education Director
Harlem Children’s Zone, GEMS Preschool
10.2023 - 06.2025
Center Director
BumbleBeesRUs Early Childhood Center
10.2021 - 09.2023
First Grade SPED Lead Teacher & Grade Level Leader
Empower Lower Elementary School
08.2019 - 10.2021
Kindergarten SPED Lead Teacher
Achievement First Linden Elementary School
07.2016 - 06.2019
Toddler Lead Teacher
FirstStepNYC
08.2014 - 07.2016
Syracuse University
B.A. from Political Science & African American Studies
Hunter College
M.S.Ed. from Special Education (Birth–Grade 2)