Bertina R. Booker
Chicago
Summary
Educational leader, nonprofit founder, and doctoral candidate with 30+ years in urban education, specializing in systems leadership, educator wellness, school culture, and research-to-practice integration. Known for identifying misalignment early, translating complex patterns into actionable strategy, and supporting organizations through sustainable change. Presenter, policy-minded practitioner, and trusted advisor across K-12, nonprofit, and leadership spaces.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder & Executive Director
Butterflies 'N Effect
Chicago
09.2022 - Current
- Founded and lead a virtual after-school program centered on SEL, leadership, and student voice.
- Established strategic vision, board governance, and program frameworks.
- Partnered with community organizations to expand access to enrichment and mentorship.
- Served as primary strategist and program designer while implementation is shared across volunteers and partners.
Lead Social Science Teacher | PBIS Lead
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago
01.2022 - Current
- Identified emerging patterns in student behavior, regulation, and engagement to inform schoolwide PBIS and restorative practices.
- Served as strategic advisor to administration on behavior trends, family engagement, and climate interventions.
- Synthesized classroom-level data and lived experience into recommendations for leadership decision-making.
- Mentored new educators through modeling, coaching, and onboarding supports that improved retention and instructional alignment.
Classroom Teacher (Grades 3-6)
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago
10.2002 - 12.2021
- Designed interdisciplinary curriculum integrating social science, literacy, and technology.
- Participated in district Personalized Learning Pilot; translated pilot insights into professional development for peers.
- Strengthened family-school partnerships through proactive communication and systemic problem-solving.
Education
Ed.D. -
American College of Education
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
American College of Education
M.A. - Urban Teaching
Concordia University
B.A. - Fashion Marketing
American Intercontinental University
Skills
- Systems Thinking
- Organizational Insight
- School Culture Transformation
- School Climate Transformation
- Educator Wellness
- Retention
- Burnout Prevention
- Strategic Program Design
- SEL
- STEM
- Mentorship
- Research
- Evaluation
- Data-Informed Decision-Making
- Neurodivergent-Affirming Leadership Practices
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Board Collaboration
Selected Impact And Initiatives
- Designed and led Butterflies 'N Effect, serving youth and families through SEL, STEM, rites of passage, and mentorship programming.
- Developed educator wellness frameworks addressing burnout, nervous system regulation, and retention.
- Led schoolwide culture initiatives improving student engagement and behavioral outcomes.
- Presented nationally on leadership identity, educator sustainability, and systems repair.
- Integrated doctoral research into practical, scalable school strategies.
Research And Scholarship
Doctoral Study (In Progress), Educator Experience, Organizational Systems, and Leadership Sustainability, Qualitative research design, participant recruitment, saturation analysis, and findings synthesis., Research-to-practice translation for school and nonprofit leaders.
Selected Presentations
- HAASBE 2025: Educator Wellness, Leadership Identity & Retention
- School & Community Workshops: SEL, Parent Engagement, Culture Repair
Professional Philosophy
Leadership is not positional it is diagnostic, relational, and ethical. Sustainable systems are built when people are seen, supported, and allowed to function at their best without burnout.
Affiliations And Professional Engagement
- Founder & Executive Director, Butterflies 'N Effect, Youth Development, SEL, Leadership & Family Engagement (Nonprofit)
- Springboard Foundation, Grantee selected for innovation, leadership, and community impact
- Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Lead Educator | PBIS Leadership | School Culture & Systems Work
- HAASBE (Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators), 2025 Conference Presenter | Educator Leadership & Wellness
- American College of Education (ACE), Doctoral Candidate | Educational Leadership & Research
- PBIS & Restorative Practices Practitioner, Equity-Centered Climate, Behavior & Systems Support
Core Leadership Strengths
- Systems Thinking & Organizational Insight
- School Culture & Climate Transformation
- Educator Wellness, Retention & Burnout Prevention
- Strategic Program Design (SEL, STEM, Mentorship)
- Research, Evaluation & Data-Informed Decision-Making
- Neurodivergent-Affirming Leadership Practices
- Stakeholder Engagement & Board Collaboration
Certification
- Illinois State Certification in Elementary Education with Endorsement in Social Science and Family and Consumer Science.
Affiliations
- Founder & Executive Director, Butterflies ’N Effect
Youth Development, SEL, Leadership & Family Engagement (Nonprofit) - Springboard Foundation – Grantee
Selected for innovation, leadership, and community impact - Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
Lead Educator | PBIS Leadership | School Culture & Systems Work - HAASBE (Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators)
2025 Conference Presenter | Educator Leadership & Wellness - American College of Education (ACE)
Doctoral Candidate | Educational Leadership & Research - PBIS & Restorative Practices Practitioner
Equity-Centered Climate, Behavior & Systems Support
Accomplishments
- Brother Mike 2025 and 2026 Mentorship Award Nominee
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Founder & Executive Director
Butterflies 'N Effect
09.2022 - Current
Lead Social Science Teacher | PBIS Lead
Chicago Public Schools
01.2022 - Current
Classroom Teacher (Grades 3-6)
Chicago Public Schools
10.2002 - 12.2021
Ed.D. -
American College of Education
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
American College of Education
M.A. - Urban Teaching
Concordia University
B.A. - Fashion Marketing
American Intercontinental University