Preschool director is nurturing the next generation of global leaders

Lee Ann Burdick became director of the Russell J. Call Children’s Center in 2022, shifting into an administrative role after 35 years as a lead teacher at the preschool.

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Lee Ann Burdick reading a kids book to a circle of children sitting around her.
Lee Ann Burdick, director of the Russell J. Children’s Center at Northeastern University, reads to children in Kerr Hall. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Lee Ann Burdick became director of the Russell J. Call Children’s Center in 2022, shifting into an administrative role after 35 years as a lead teacher at the preschool. But most of the time, you can still find her in the thick of it — convincing a reluctant student to try sitting on the potty, reading stories during circle time, and leading boisterous music sessions for the two dozen 2-to-5-year-olds in her care.

Burdick joined Northeastern in 1987 after answering a print ad in the Boston Globe. Since then, she’s taught generations of the university faculty, staff and surrounding community’s kids. Along the way, she’s mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students who have completed co-ops at the preschool.

Burdick spoke with Northeastern Global News about how the childcare profession has evolved, her favorite parts of the job, and the unique advantages of having a preschool on the campus of a major research university.

What about your job might surprise people?

Lee Ann Burdick. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

It’s not just babysitting. Yes, we are a full-day day care center so that parents can work and have their kids in a safe place where they’re cared for and loved. But it’s also about development.

We are professionals; many of us have our master’s and come to the table very educated. We do a lot every day to get them ready to move on.

And if kids need help, then here at Northeastern we can get help. We call the Speech and Language Department and Physical Therapy all the time. We have expertise everywhere here, and that helps the families — they can get speech and language here, rather than have to take kids out of school. People are always surprised at that.

How has childcare changed since you started at Northeastern?

Stresses on families are sky high, and we see that trickle down here. I feel like we’re not giving kids enough time: the expectations are that they do [certain things] in kindergarten, [others] in first grade. Many places have that pressure. But here we try to do large blocks of time for play, very few transitions.

What’s your favorite part of the workday?

Helping kids solve problems — getting them to the next step and figuring out the scaffolding to get them there. Those “light bulb” moments are pretty amazing. We don’t give kids enough credit for what they can learn and what they can do, given the right environment.

When we do the art show, for example, people are like, “Kids can do this?”The other part is the college students. I approach them the same way I do the kids: how do you get them to develop, to think about children in a different way?

I had a co-op once, a nursing student, and he was working with me in a very difficult classroom. He left and did a psych rotation [in a hospital], and when he came back, [he spent 10 minutes with one of the kids] and asked ‘Is he on meds?’ I said, “You’ve been in a psychiatric placement.

So your model is meds, and that can be useful. But no, this has been a year of really hard work; we made some changes, mom made some changes.” You can’t get a Band-Aid and fix everything. It’s through time.

What are your proudest career moments?

Anytime kids grow to see themselves in a different way. I once had a kid — he wasn’t easy — and he was reflecting back on a time he had called me a name. And he said, ‘But I don’t do that anymore.’ That’s huge.

Lee Ann Burdick walking down a hall lined on one side with children's books, with a line of children following her.
Laa Ann Burdick readin ga kids book to a group of children gathered around her.
A child smiling.
Lee Ann Burdick, director of the Russell J. Children’s Center at Northeastern University. Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

What is your favorite spot on campus, besides the Children’s Center?

I love the places with public art. The quad by the African American Institute, and the Sculpture Park area by the koi pond. Those two, because one is quiet and the other is full of life.

How do you relax?

Dance. I used to do West Coast swing three times a week, but now I’m looking for that next thing.

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