From Educator to Executive: Meet Kimberlee Burt-Hendricks,Managing Director of McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
We are honored to feature Kimberlee Burt-Hendricks as part of our August Education series. With a deep commitment to advancing early childhood leadership, Kimberlee Burt-Hendricks now serves as the Managing Director of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. Her appointment reflects decades of dedication to strengthening the systems and professionals who shape the earliest years of learning.
Can you share your educational journey and how it has shaped both your personal and professional path?
My educational journey has been deeply rooted in both lived experience and intentional study. As a first generation college graduate my path to education was built on a strong foundation of faith and the strong work ethics modeled by my amazing parents. I began my career as an early childhood educator and later owned and operated a preschool in Chicago for over two decades. That hands-on work, partnering with families, mentoring staff, and building community from a mere idea, shaped how I understand leadership, equity, and the power of early learning environments to make an impact and create sustainable change.
Through my formal education, including my ongoing doctoral work in curriculum, advocacy, and policy, has helped me frame and elevate what I’ve always known in practice: that quality education must be holistic, inclusive, and deeply connected to the communities it serves. Each step of my journey has reinforced that education is not just about what happens in a classroom, but it’s people, voice, systems and belonging.
What pivotal educational experiences or mentors influenced your current career direction?
My very own preschool teacher, Martha Wilson, changed the course of my life, not just once but twice. The first was when I entered her nurturing, engaging classroom as a two year old at Mason Child Parent Center. The second time was as a twenty something who had just graduated from college and was planning to go to law school. I took a short term assignment as a substitute teacher at my former primary and elementary school. I was assigned to a Kindergarten class right next door to Martha Wilson. On the first day, I rediscovered what it meant to breathe and truly fell in love with working with children, but I had no idea how to “teach” and that’s where Martha came in. She became my mentor, confidant, colleague and friend. Instead of Law School the Following Fall, I enrolled in the early childhood masters program at Howard University.
I’ve been deeply influenced by scholars like Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot, whose portraiture work affirmed for me that the stories and strengths of educators, particularly women of color, deserve to be documented with nuance and care. My mentors have often been quiet champions, colleagues, elders, and community leaders who modeled integrity, courage, and the importance of nurturing others while navigating systems with grace and intentionality.
What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from your educational and professional experiences?
I’ve learned that leadership is less about titles and more about stewardship. It’s about cultivating the conditions for others to thrive… whether that’s staff in a child care program, families navigating early education systems, or students finding their voice.
I’ve also learned the importance of boundaries and sustainability. Passion can ignite a vision, but structure, reflection, and care are what keep it alive. In this work, you have to name what you need and advocate not just for children and families, but also for yourself and your team.
What motivates you to contribute to advancing education and creating opportunities for others?
I believe deeply in the connection and community, as well as the transformative power of early childhood education, not just for children, but for families, and the educators who guide them. I’m motivated by a desire to shift the narrative around early learning in order to ensure it’s not seen as secondary or informal, but as the foundation for equity, healing, joy and lifelong opportunities.
I carry with me the stories of the families I’ve served, the educators I’ve mentored, and the children I’ve watched grow into bold, curious leaders. I do this work to honor them and to make sure our systems and assets reflect their true value.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite, uplift, and inspire?
My highest hopes for democracy are rooted in its ability to honor the dignity, voice, and potential of every individual. I hope for a democracy that can uplift by investing in people through education, care, opportunity, and truth-telling.
I believe democracy can and should unite us through shared purpose, where differences are not erased but are valued as part of our collective strength.
Most importantly, I hope democracy inspires us to lead with courage, to repair what has been broken, and to imagine possibilities with boldness! I hope that democracy can see us as neighbors not through the eyes of systems, but hope!
How can GlobalMindED further support educational leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and expanding your impact?
GlobalMindED can continue to serve as a bridge that connects educators and leaders across sectors, disciplines, and experiences. For leaders like me, support looks like access to networks where real conversations are happening.
Support also looks like investing in storytelling, research, mentorship, and leadership pipelines that center families, community-rooted educators, and those working at the intersections of policy, practice, and equity as a mechanism that shapes an agenda that expands what’s possible.
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