Meet Our Nursery School Director

Shaniqua Sonnee is an accomplished educational administrator who brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for early childhood education to her role as the Director of Scarsdale Community Baptist Nursery School (SCBNS), beginning in the summer of 2025. With roots in Manhattan, Shaniqua now resides in Parkchester with her husband and their cherished pups. In her spare time, she enjoys activities such as long walks on the beach, ice skating, painting, and baking.

Shaniqua holds a Master’s degree in Progressive Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. Her professional credentials are further enhanced by several prestigious certifications, including a Connected Leadership certificate from Yale University, a Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms certificate from Relay Graduate School of Education, and a Transforming Education in an Interconnected World credential from the University of Michigan. These achievements underscore her commitment to fostering inclusive, play-based learning environments and her dedication to lifelong learning.

With nearly a decade of experience in roles such as UPK teacher, early childhood instructional coach, and afterschool director, Shaniqua has consistently demonstrated her ability to cultivate nurturing and engaging educational settings. In additional to her role at SCBNS, she is also an Elementary Principal Intern and Director of Enrichment at Hunter College Elementary School, an institution for gifted students in NYC. Her work emphasizes the importance of strong community connections, ensuring every child feels supported and inspired.

As a proud CUNY alumna and employee, Shaniqua extends her expertise to the broader educational community by volunteering as a mentor at Lehman College, supporting aspiring educators and students in the child psychology field. Additionally, she is a dedicated environmental advocate, volunteering with the Bronx is Blooming Organization.

Having attended a Christian school from Pre-K through 8th grade, Shaniqua values the role of faith in education. She believes that integrating faith with learning provides a strong moral and ethical foundation for young children. Shaniqua is thrilled to lead SCBNS, where she is committed to harmonizing faith and education to nurture well-rounded, compassionate individuals.