Educate, Encourage & Empower

"Thanks to my parents, Burke’s, and participating in a female-dominant sport, I was raised to believe I belonged in any room I walked into."  - Distinguished Alumna Whitney Gaynor '96, Entrepreneur, Technologist, and Olympic Judge
In this special episode, recorded at the Alumnae Reunion Luncheon, Whitney Gaynor '96 reflects on how her time at Burke’s served as the foundation for an extraordinary journey. From early lessons in creativity, confidence, and community to formative classroom and extracurricular experiences, she shares how Burke’s helped to instill in her the belief that she belonged in any room she entered—a mindset that shaped every step that followed.
Grounded in gratitude, this episode is a tribute to the enduring impact of a Burke’s education and community.

In this episode of Educate, Encourage, and Empower, Diana Schneider, Director of Communications at Burke’s, sits down with Head of School Michele Williams to explore the extraordinary legacy of the school’s founding women and the lasting impact of their bold vision. From Lizzie Burke’s seat on San Francisco’s Committee of 100 to Kate Kennedy’s groundbreaking work for equal pay and union rights, and Katherine Delmar Burke’s unwavering belief in the power of girls’ education, Burke’s history is rooted in leadership and progress.
Michele Williams reflects on how this legacy shapes Burke’s celebration of International Women’s Day, highlighting past speakers and spotlighting the 2025 guest, Cynt Marshall, former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks.

In this episode of Educate, Encourage, and Empower, Associate Head of School Alice Moore is joined by Lizzie Charnas, fourth-grade social studies teacher and newly appointed Civic Engagement and Learning Coordinator at Burke’s. Together, they discuss the school’s evolving approach to civic engagement—moving beyond traditional service learning to help students develop as thoughtful, informed, and active community members. Tune in to hear how Burke’s is deepening its commitment to civic learning—on campus, across San Francisco, and in the hearts and minds of its students.

This episode dives into how the Upper School Makery Facilitator and Technology Integration Specialist collaborates with faculty on integrating making, project-based learning, and design thinking into the curriculum.

Learn about Burke’s robust K-8 math program, designed to foster students' curiosity, confidence, and creativity. The program emphasizes a growth mindset, offering multiple entry points for learners of different abilities and making mathematics accessible to all students. Our graduates develop into confident, engaged mathematicians unafraid to tackle challenging problems.

Burke's introduces world language lessons to fourth graders, which evolve into a full language program in Upper School, offering Mandarin, Spanish, and French. As society becomes more interconnected, the need for proficiency in more than one language and culture will only continue to grow. The World Languages program aims to foster resilience, long-term commitment, and a strong foundation in language learning and cultural understanding, preparing students for high school and beyond.
 We offer students a choice of three different languages because we want them to be excited to learn what they're learning, feel good about going to their language class, and bring that innate curiosity, interest, desire, and passion to the classroom each day. We know from current Upper School students and recent alumni that this choice was a truly meaningful moment in their academic journey. 

What does music education look like at Burke's? In this episode, discover how the Lower School music program inspires creativity, confidence, and connection. Through singing, movement, rhythm games, imaginative play, and performance opportunities, students build musical skills while finding joy in making music together. At the heart of the program is a commitment to helping every child feel seen, heard, and empowered to express themselves.

Burke's Upper and Lower School Librarians take you on a tour of our library, a light-filled space filled with tables for collaborative learning and bean bags for lounging. The collection includes over 40,000 items, including print and electronic books and audiobooks, and is physically divided between the Lower and Upper School libraries. In addition to scheduled class time in the Library, the space is open in the mornings before school and during snack and/or lunch recess.