Roy-Hart’s Colleen Burkett named ‘Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year’ in WNY

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

Provided photo: from left include Dr. Christopher Patridge (Associate Professor of Chemistry at D’Youville and Western New York American Chemical Society Section Chair), Roy-Hart science teacher Colleen Burkett and Gary Bell, the Roy-Hart High School Principal.

MIDDLEPORT – Royalton-Hartland High School teacher Colleen Burkett was recognized as Outstanding High School Science Teacher of the Year by the Western New York American Chemical Society (WNY ACS).

The ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and one of the world’s leading sources of authoritative scientific information.

“I am honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year by the American Chemical Society,” Burkett said.  “I have been a member of this professional society since college and have seen so many wonderful educators and scientists recognized for their efforts in their field of expertise. I am honored to be included in that list of individuals!”

Burkett received her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 2006 from the College of Wooster.  Following this she joined the University of Arizona’s Surface and Imaging Facilities as a research assistant. She completed her Master’s in 2017 at Arizona and began as a chemistry teacher at Royalton-Hartland High School in January 2018.

Superintendent Jill Heck remembers fondly when Burkett came to work for the district, “She was experienced, knowledgeable and had such a great background in chemistry from her work in the field.  We were fortunate to get her on our staff, and she will continue to be an asset to Roy-Hart Central School District in the future.”

Burkett also teaches both Regents Chemistry and College Chemistry through Niagara County Community College. She has developed a new curriculum through a professional development grant and implemented a modern classroom format often referred to as “Flipped Classroom”, with student-centered self-paced learning.

She has ensured that her students meet academic benchmarks while remaining up-to-date and well-informed on science industry topics and progress.

“The single best thing about being an educator is seeing the ‘lightbulb moment’ for a student,” she said. “It’s the moment that they finally make a connection between something we’re learning and a real-world phenomenon. It’s the moment that they finally grasp a difficult topic we’ve been working on for a while. I know most of my students won’t go on to study chemistry beyond high school, but I love getting kids excited about science in their real lives and I hope they carry this enthusiasm with them into the future.”

Burkett is known for offering support to her fellow teachers at Roy-Hart with her expertise in digital tools and learning management systems. She is very dedicated to her students, colleagues and the community.  Burkett is grateful for the support she receives in return.

“This award also made me incredibly thankful for a supportive administration,” she said. “My principal, Gary Bell, and superintendent, Jill Heck, have given me the freedom to explore new and interesting teaching methodologies in my classroom and we see it paying off dividends in the way my students are motivated to learn! A big thank you to Sarah English from Sweet Home High School, who has been a great mentor over the past five years. It would also be remiss of me to not thank my parents, Thomas and Cynthia Burkett, who were excellent examples of dedicated educators in the Western New York region.”