Burnette is Lake Road teacher of the year

Editor’s Note: This is the eighth of 12 stories highlighting Butler County Teachers of the Year.

“She does not stop trying to help a child, even when the child has given up on themselves,” Michelle McDaniel said about third grade Lake Road Elementary school teacher Jessica Burnette.

Burnette is the 2020-21 Teacher of the Year for the campus after joining the school in 2016.

Jessica Burnette, Lake Road Elementary School Teacher of the Year, works with students.Photo provided

Burnette earned a master of science in educational leadership from Arkansas State University and has since returned to the school to work on an educational specialist degree in educational leadership.

Before coming to Poplar Bluff R-I, she worked for the Shelby County School District in Memphis, Tennessee.

Burnette is part of the instruction team that meets with other teachers within the district to discuss curriculum, McDaniel wrote in a nomination letter.

Jessica Burnette, Lake Road Elementary School Teacher of the Year, works with students on the different layers of the earth and how they work together.Photo provided

“Jessica makes sure to have engaging lessons; she also strives for excellence in all of her students,” McDaniel said. “Jessica tries different strategies for teaching, so that a child may understand a concept.”

Special Education teacher Martha H. Henry said Burnette knows the learning standards and understands how to “unpack” them to benefit all learners.

She also mentors new teachers and works with them on teaching practices.

“Jessica is focused, articulate and passionate,” Henry said. “She is able to learn new material and put it into practice while involving her teammates.”

Fellow third-grade teacher Mackenzie Foust said Burnette has an open-door policy for teachers, students and staff members to come to her with questions, concerns or things to talk about.

“I can say with complete certainty that every person who comes in contact with Jessica leaves with a feeling of true inspiration, ready to continue on with the vision of Lake Road Elementary,” Foust said.

These are sentiments parents express about Burnette as well.

Abbey French, who’s son Luke is in Burnette’s class, said she was concerned about Luke’s academic future because of illness that “caused brain damage and profound hearing loss,” along with ADHD and social anxiety.

Burnette has alleviated that fear, she said.

“Mrs. Burnette has worked closely with the district audiologist to get an FM system in the classroom that will follow him through the grades,” French said. “She has arranged for him to get the necessary interventions for reading, writing and math.”

The largest impact she’s had, French said, is the bond Burnette built with Luke because she worked to make him feel comfortable and always welcomes him enthusiastically.

“Having Mrs. Burnette this year has truly been a blessing,” she said.

Her students said Burnette works to make learning fun for them through activities.

“She even reads the books with us everyday and then made fun activities to do,” student Tobi Duncan wrote. “She made it so fun that everyday we were ready to come back to the table and read.”

Former student Somaria Simpson called Burnette an idol.

“She taught me to be an independent student and taught me how to make smart decisions,” she said.