Cole MS celebrated their Tri 2 PA Day last Friday, so it was only fitting that Emily Burkhardt, integral to the event, enjoys the glow of the Super Staff Spotlight this week!
Emily Burkhardt and Cole 7th graders at last year's EOY Celebration
Emily is a 7th grade Science Teacher and Grade Level Chair at Cole Middle School, where she brings joy to her students every day through her interactive class. On any given day, students may be dissecting frogs, or exploring how their bodies work through whole-movement activities highlighting different aspects of the human body and how they interact. Even though they’re only in 7th grade, they also get opportunities to explore different careers, such as being a doctor, through an online simulator where they can diagnose a patient’s disease using predetermined symptoms.
Students joyfully diving in on dissection day
Her dedication to her students and colleagues is not just exemplified through her engaging classroom, nor through the commute she makes from Greeley every day. Every trimester, students complete their science, social studies, PE, health, and art performance assessments (PAs) in testing rooms on PA Day. By successfully leading all logistical aspects of PA Day, she provided calm testing environments, relieving a lot of pressure off of teachers, who would’ve otherwise been proctoring these important labs, exercises, and written reflections within the confines of their own classrooms. PAs can have TCP implications for many teachers, and setting everyone up for success did not go unnoticed.
The Cole tradition of PA Day also allows for each scholar’s artistic and athletic sides to shine as they completed art project reflections, rocked ultimate frisbee/floor hockey, and performed in a music concert. Leading up to this day, each trimester, music students practice their sets in class, and at the end of the day, the whole school is treated to a concert with student performances.
6th, 7th, and 8th grade music students all performed in their class cohorts on PA Day!
Emily’s colleagues also appreciate how detail-oriented she is, and the helpful feedback that she gives to support their development. She genuinely cares about her team, and even uses their love language to care for them in meaningful ways, like bringing everyone their favorite beverage on the last day of IAs.
Cheers to Emily- Cole MS students and staff are lucky to have such a dynamic and devoted teacher in their corner!
Do you have a colleague who deserves the glow of the Super Staff Spotlight? Nominate them today!
