YVONNE BORKOWSKI
Summary
Seasoned bilingual educator in the field of post-secondary teaching with background in diverse subject areas. Brings comprehensive experience developing curriculum and delivering engaging lectures that foster student understanding and growth. Skilled in utilizing innovative teaching methods to enhance learning outcomes and promote critical thinking among students. Successfully mentored peers and students in pedagogical strategies, contributing to improved instructional quality across programs.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Educational Leadership
St. Joseph’s University
Patchogue, NY
01.2022 - Current
- Assistant Professor in Child Study and Educational Leadership programs teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Focusing on curriculum design, methods, student teaching seminar, administrator internships, related topics on general and special education, and cultural responsive pedagogy.
- Develop and deliver engaging course content for in person, online and virtual classes that incorporates current research and best practices in general and special education.
- Organized and facilitated workshops and seminars for students and faculty on differentiation in the classroom, digital portfolios, leadership in education, and culturally responsive education, enhancing instructional strategies and promoting inclusive practices.
- Design and facilitate online courses for distance education students, utilizing Canvas Teaching and Learning Software to enhance student engagement.
- Planned and coordinated leadership conferences for education, leadership, and ABA programs, managing logistics, developing agendas, collaborating with presenters, and creating professional learning opportunities for educators and administrators.
- Train and support adjunct faculty on course instruction, program requirements, and effective use of learning management and instructional technology platforms.
- Review and develop AAQEP reports to ensure accreditation standings.
- Supervise and observe student teachers in their appropriate classroom settings.
- Recruit, select, supervise, observe, and evaluate adjunct faculty.
- Participate in departmental and university committees, contributing to program reviews, university wide assessments, and inclusion of diverse students.
- Engaged in community outreach and partnerships with schools to sustain mentorship and placement opportunities for students, strengthening community ties and enhancing student support.
Native American Parent Specialist, Bilingual Trainer for Special Education
Long Island Advocacy Center
New Hyde Park, NY
01.2009 - 01.2024
- Representative for Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE)
- Delivered professional learning and training to support Native American communities across New York and the Southwest.
- Facilitated culturally responsive workshops designed to meet the needs of Native American students, families, and educators.
- Provided training and outreach across diverse Native American communities to strengthen educational access and support services.
- Developed and implemented support plans and training materials tailored to individual client needs.
Director of the Bilingual Extension Certificate Program
St. Joseph’s University
Patchogue, NY
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led design and development of Bilingual Extension Certificate Program curriculum, ensuring alignment with state certification requirements.
- Recruited and supported candidates pursuing bilingual certification, facilitating their successful completion of program requirements.
- Developed strategic initiatives to enhance academic programs and student engagement.
- Collaborated with faculty to improve curriculum offerings and teaching methodologies.
Coordinator of Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placement Office
St. Joseph’s University
Patchogue, NY
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Coordinated 800+ fieldwork and student teaching placements each semester, ensuring compliance with program requirements and state regulations to support student success.
- Partnered with schools, administrators, and mentor teachers to create quality placements that align with students’ academic and professional goals, enhancing their practical learning experiences.
- Coordinated events and activities for student engagement and community outreach.
- Managed schedules and logistics for university programs and workshops.
- Developed communication materials for promotional campaigns and informational sessions.
Lecturer
St. Joseph’s University
Patchogue, NY
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Instructed undergraduate and graduate courses in general and special education, enhancing understanding of developmental milestones, inclusive practices, and intervention strategies among students.
- Developed engaging course materials for diverse student populations.
- Delivered lectures on contemporary topics in education.
- Facilitated discussions to enhance critical thinking and student participation.
Bilingual Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement for My Brother’s Keeper Initiative
Partners in Inclusivity Consulting Services
New York
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Provided workshops and professional development to MBK grant schools on restorative practices, trauma-informed instruction, and culturally responsive education.
Educational Peer Coach
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
Holbrook, NY
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Designed and delivered workshops for teachers and administrators on various educational topics to strengthen practice and outcomes.
Bilingual Family Engagement Special Education Specialist
Center for Community Inclusion, Long Island University, Post Campus
01.2008 - 01.2019
- Long Island Parent Technical Assistance Center, New York State Education Department (NYSED) funded program
- Developed individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement effective instructional strategies and adaptations.
- Assisted in training school staff and parents on best practices for supporting special education students.
- Facilitated communication between families, schools and service providers at the center.
- Assisted families in navigating special education resources and services.
Adjunct Lecturer
SUNY Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Instructed undergraduate and graduate courses in general and special education, emphasizing developmental milestones, inclusive practices, and intervention strategies to enhance student understanding and engagement.
- Developed engaging course materials for diverse student audiences.
- Facilitated interactive classroom discussions to enhance student participation.
- Evaluated student assignments and provided constructive feedback promptly.
Coordinator of Student Teaching Placements, Adjunct Lecturer
Long Island University
Riverhead & Brookville, NY
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Established partnerships with school districts to secure quality student teaching placements for candidates.
- Delivered undergraduate and graduate courses in general and special education, enhancing student understanding and skills.
- Managed communication between schools, faculty, and students.
- Organized schedules and maintained calendars for placements.
Elementary Teacher
P.S. 12Q
Woodside, NY
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Taught all subject areas to multilingual and monolingual 5th grade students, creating an inclusive and engaging classroom environment that supported diverse learning needs.
Education
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, New YorkAdvanced Certificate - Educational Leadership
Long Island University
Brookville, New YorkMaster of Science - Elementary Education, Pre-K-6
Queens College, CUNY
Flushing, New YorkBachelor of Arts - Psychology
SUNY at Old Westbury
Old Westbury, New YorkAdvanced Certificate - Spanish Language, Literature and Culture
SUNY at Old Westbury
Old Westbury, New YorkSkills
- Instructional design
- Online course design
- Curriculum development
- Program evaluation
- Educational leadership
- Workshop facilitation
- Academic integrity
- Bilingual provider
Affiliations
- New York State Association for Women in Administration, LI Regional Board Member, 02/25 - Present
- NYSED Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education, Vice Chair
- NYSED Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education, Co-Chair for Teacher Shortages, Certification and Education Subcommittee, 02/08 - 02/22
- NYSED Technical Assistance Center on Disproportionality at NYU, Advisory Board Member
- School Administrators Association of NYS (SAANYS)
- Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
- ASCD
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
- New York State Association for Women in Administration (NYSAWA)
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
- National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)
Certification
- New York State Initial Certification: School Building Leader (SBL)
- New York State Provisional Certification: School District Leader (SDL)
- New York State Professional Administrators Certificate
- New York State Permanent Certification, Elementary Education Pre-K-6
- New York State Initial Certification, Special Education 1-6
- NYC DOE Permanent Certification: Elementary Education Pre-K-6
Peer Reviewed Publications
Rodriguez, S., Voulgarakis, H., Barry, P., Lisa, J.S., Conde, K.A., Sinisgalli, Y., Teaching Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Analysis, International Journal of Research in Teacher Education, 12, 3, 10-31, 2021
Presentations
- Innovative Educational Strategies Part 2: Transformational Leadership in the Classroom, Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning, Patchogue, NY, 2026
- Do You “Shake it Off” or Lead Like a “VIP”? Lessons in Transformational Leadership from Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, Region II EAST Head Start Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
- Do You “Shake it Off” or Lead Like a “VIP”?, Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning, Patchogue, NY, 2025
- Early identification and intervention for children with disabilities, Developmental Disabilities Symposium; Physician’s Assistant Program, Hempstead, NY, 2025
- Do You “Shake it Off” or Lead Like a “VIP”? Lessons in Transformational Leadership from Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, LEAD LI Fall Conference, Melville, NY, 2025
- Engaging Latino Families in Your Program, Head Start Region II Conference, St Thomas, USVI, 2025
- Mi Familia es Mi Fuerza: Latinx Perceptions of Parent Involvement, New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE), 2024
- Empowering IEP Teams: Strategies for Successful FBA/BIP Implementation, SJNY First Annual Applied Behavior Analysis Conference, St. Joseph’s University, NY, 2024
- Latinx Perceptions of Family Engagement, Educational Research Roundtable Panelist, Long Island, NY, 2024
- Latinx Perceptions of Family Engagement in their Child’s School, 2024 Region II Head Start Conference, St. Thomas, USVI, 2024
- Early identification and intervention for children with disabilities, Developmental Disabilities Symposium; Physician’s Assistant Program, Hempstead, NY, 2023
- Connecting with Native American Families and Providing Outreach to their Communities in your Parent Center, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, New Jersey, 2023
- Mi Familia es Mi Fuerza: Latinx Parent Involvement, Long Island ASCD Fall Conference, Melville, NY, 2022
- My Family is My Strength: Fostering Relationships with Latinx Families, The Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) for Pre-K and Early Education Expanding Opportunities for Early Learners in Pre-K & K Conference, Huntington, NY, 2022
- Building bridges with Native American Families and Outreach to their Communities, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network Webinar, 2022
- Fostering relationships with Native American families, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network Convening, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Director of Educational Leadership
St. Joseph’s University
01.2022 - Current
Director of the Bilingual Extension Certificate Program
St. Joseph’s University
01.2022 - 01.2023
Coordinator of Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placement Office
St. Joseph’s University
01.2017 - 01.2022
Lecturer
St. Joseph’s University
01.2017 - 01.2022
Bilingual Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement for My Brother’s Keeper Initiative
Partners in Inclusivity Consulting Services
01.2017 - 01.2020
Adjunct Lecturer
SUNY Old Westbury
01.2017 - 01.2018
Educational Peer Coach
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
01.2016 - 01.2020
Coordinator of Student Teaching Placements, Adjunct Lecturer
Long Island University
01.2013 - 01.2018
Native American Parent Specialist, Bilingual Trainer for Special Education
Long Island Advocacy Center
01.2009 - 01.2024
Bilingual Family Engagement Special Education Specialist
Center for Community Inclusion, Long Island University, Post Campus
01.2008 - 01.2019
Elementary Teacher
P.S. 12Q
01.1999 - 01.2002
Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership
Molloy College
Advanced Certificate - Educational Leadership
Long Island University
Master of Science - Elementary Education, Pre-K-6
Queens College, CUNY
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
SUNY at Old Westbury
Advanced Certificate - Spanish Language, Literature and Culture
SUNY at Old Westbury