April M. Burke

Dr. April M. Burke is a Professor in the Department of Teacher & Special Education at Central Michigan University. She serves as Director of the Teaching English Learners Program, focusing on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research related to minority and disadvantaged K-12 student populations, particularly emergent multilinguals.

• Ph.D. in Literacy & Language Education (2014), Purdue University
• C.A.S. in English as a Second Language (2008), University of Southern Maine
• M.A.T. in Secondary Education (2002), University of Maine
• B.A. in English (1997), University of Maine

Her research examines educational policies' impact on ELs, high-stakes testing performance, instructional models, and pre-service teacher preparation. She also investigates children's literature integration and literacy instruction best practices. Recent publications explore service learning programs, API subgroup disparities in assessments, and language programming models.

• 2018 Distinguished Paper Award (H. Dunn & M. Singh co-authors)
• 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award, CMU
• 2013 Early Career Award, AERA Division H

Dr. Burke teaches courses including TEL 300/500/501/502 for multilingual learner instruction and previously taught composition, grammar, and TESOL methods courses. Her work involves collaboration with policymakers and educators to advance social justice through participatory research.