Terry Burdett

As a child I never believed I had what it took to go to college. I was identified as learning disabled and lived up to the poor expectations. It wasn't until a VA counselor convinced me that I had the skills for success that I started my first college semester only to prove him wrong. I gave 100% and graduated with honors. It is my desire to help my students overcome any doubts they may have in their education and achieve higher levels of success.

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While raising our family, I completed my Associates degree at Mira Costa College and earned my Bachelors degree and Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. Since then, I've added English, Math, and English Language Learner certifications to my credential. 

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I started my teaching career at Condor Elementary School where my students and I "lived" the curriculum. We rode The Terrible Wave in literature, experienced Colonial Days and Westward Movement in history, raised and dissected chickens in science and discovered the magic in math. After 11 years I was asked to leave the classroom to help mentor my peers and supervise our district induction program. This was a great honor but chose to re-entered the classroom the following year. I followed my youngest son up to Junior High where I taught English for three years. I've been teaching Math and Leadership for the past 12 years. 

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I have never stopped learning either from my students, peers, universities, or professional development. Though I've taken numerous classes at UCR, UCLA, and CSUSB, it is my students that teach me the most valuable lessons. I collaborate with my 7-8 grade colleagues bi-weekly on site and monthly with 6-12 educators. I continue to serve as a state and national delegate for the teacher's union and actively serve on our local executive board. 

 

Coming into the school year, my main goals are to get to know my students better and help them recognize the importance of learning. I want them to discover how math is found in all aspects of their life. I also hope to balance my school life and family life better. I am notorious for working entirely too late and hope to work smarter this year. 

 

As much as I have learned, I know there is still so much more, and I firmly believe that we can all learn from each other. I will continue to collaborate with my colleagues, seek out the best teaching practices, find ways of giving back to my community and to be the best teacher I can be.

 

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