Teacher Spotlight: Natalia Burgess!

Natalia Burgess | 10th Grade World History

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching in a general education classroom for 6 years.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

A: I pursued a career in education because I saw a need in my community that needed to be filled. Instead of stilling around thinking about what if, I decided to be the change that was needed.

Q: What is your favorite thing about teaching or your biggest success story?

A: My favorite thing about teaching is when the kids' faces light up when they can figure out something new that I don't know. It's a daily fun challenge for them to see what they can stump me on.

Q: What challenges do you face in the classroom?

A: The biggest challenge in the classroom today is competing again the cellphones and social media. Social media has these kids in a choke hold and it is a challenge to get them to research what they see being posted instead of believing everything being told to them by an "influencer."

Q: What is something that every student should know about teachers?

A: Teachers make mistakes too but its how you recover form those mistakes that makes you a better person.

Q: What advice would you impart to a new teacher or someone who wants to become a teacher?

A: Give yourself some grace. Not every child will pass but every child will remember how you treated them, always treat them with kindness and a loving heart.

Q: What do you love to do when you're not teaching?

A: When I'm not teaching I am always looking for my next adventure, whether its a new hiking trail or bungee jumping, I am always looking to have fun and laugh everyday.

Thank you Natalia, we're so happy to be able to showcase teachers who are doing amazing work in their students' lives!

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