Rachel Burley, Ed.D.

As a proud Nashville native, Dr. Rachel Burley is driven by a deep passion for education and a commitment to making a positive impact for all students. Rachel has devoted her career to fostering excellence and equity in education.

Rachel began her journey in education as an undergraduate researcher in Adolescent Psychology and School Psychology at Spelman College and Wake Forest University, which ignited her passion for education. After graduating from Spelman College, Rachel served as the founding Exceptional Education teacher at a charter school in Nashville, where she was instrumental in establishing the foundation for the school’s inclusive education practices.

Rachel has held a variety of leadership roles, including Special Education Content Specialist, Dean of Students and Support Services, Interim School Principal, and Director of Exceptional Education for a charter network in Nashville, Tennessee. During her tenure as Director of Exceptional Education, she led initiatives that earned the school the prestigious "School of Excellence" award from the State of Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services—an honor awarded to only two schools in the district, making STEM Prep the first and only public charter school to receive this recognition out of over 130 schools. Her work has centered on creating robust support programs for students with disabilities, setting high standards for student achievement, and ensuring top-quality service delivery.

Rachel has also made impactful contributions to Teach For America as a Pre-Service Secondary English Language Arts Content Specialist and Manager of Teacher Leadership Development, where she guided and mentored early-career teachers in refining their instructional techniques and classroom management skills.

Rachel holds a Bachelors of Arts. in Psychology from Spelman College, a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Lipscomb University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Tennessee State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Lipscomb University. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys exploring new recipes, staying active through indoor rowing, and immersing herself in thought-provoking podcasts.