Published
4 years agoon
After a national search, an award-winning and veteran Catholic school administrator is the new head of school at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.
Michael C. Burke, who has spent more than 35 years as a Catholic school administrator, teacher, and coach, most recently worked as president of Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Florida.
Related Story: San Joaquin Memorial To Build $5 Million STEAM Center in 2019
Burke was selected one of two high school presidents in the nation to receive the Lead.Learn.Proclaim Award from the National Catholic Education Association and was recognized for his leadership efforts, contributions and achievements at the association’s 2016 convention in San Diego.
During his nine years at the Melbourne school, academic scores rose, class sizes were decreased and student readiness for college improved. Student enrollment also rose by 55% during his tenure.
He led a multimillion-dollar capital campaign that resulted in nine major construction projects, including modernizing aging buildings and adding a STEM building and new field house.
Burke earned a master’s in educational leadership degree from the University of Dayton and a bachelor of arts in business degree from Southern Benedictine College. He and his wife Jill have moved to the Fresno area. They are the parents of two married children: Christopher, a Catholic school administrator, and Erin, a registered occupational therapist.
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email
Hear Mayor, Councilmembers Share Vision for $20 Million Senior Center on Blackstone
Fresno Weather: It’s a Dry Heat. Except When It’s Not.
See Why Customers Flocked to Fresno Cannabis Store on Day 1
‘Oops!’ Don’t Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart!
Voting Is Fast and Easy on Recall Day. What Dyer Had to Say.
Club One Casino Readies Move to Granite Park