Our Principals:
​Samantha Burke(SB)| TK-5 and Anthony Animuntu(AA)| 6-8

Tell us about yourself?
SB: Born & raised in Salinas, Ca., I attended UC Irvine for my B.A. in Psychology, Cal State Teach for my Teaching Credential, and UC Berkeley for my MA in Education and Administrative Credential. I worked as a teacher in my hometown of Salinas and in administrative roles at both the elementary and middle school level in Oakland Unified School District, Pittsburg Unified School District, and now Emery. This is my fifth year as the Elementary Principal of Anna Yates.

What does communication look like with parents?
SB: Our usual modes of communication still exist: our front bulletin board, chalkboard messages, paper handouts, and social media but this year there is a monthly newsletter that will send electronically the first week of every month.

What are you most excited about this year?
SB: Being able to expand upon the work we have established over the last four years! With known rules and expectations in place and working effectively, we are at a place to build upon our in school intervention block, Universal Access, and look deeply at student data to improve student outcomes and how best to provide student specific scaffolds.

What new practice or programs should we be aware of?
SB: This year we have established a school wide reading initiative. All classrooms are committing to reading every day after recess for twenty minutes as well as emphasizing reading as homework. Reading at the student's lexile level is essential to reading being meaningful. At school students have individual reading bags so that they always have access to books at their level, having access to books at their level at home would be great reinforcement to at school expectations. Reading as a family, being read to at home, or reading books in your home language are all positive ways to access literacy at levels above their own academic range.

Is there something new coming up soon?
SB: This year we've modified Coffee with the Principal so that we will have Drop Off Coffee with the Principal where we will bimonthly provide coffee and donuts in front of school rather than have a monthly standing meeting. This will allow parents to briefly ask us questions, find out about upcoming events, or get new information from various members of our community.