The Girl Behind the Curtain

SYLVIA WINSTON
Features Editor

Dr. Seuss once said, “You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.”

As true as this may be, how much can we learn about those pedagogues who work hard to instruct us every day when we sit alone in a room? Some students believe that teachers are human beings that only live within a classroom. However, this Engish teacher who loves poetry proves them wrong. Her personality changes when she leaves her classroom.

“I feel somewhat more liberal at home. At school I have to be more serious and more hardworking, but overall, 80 percent of me is the same,” she said.

This particular teacher majored in Music at the University of California, Los Angeles and makes jewelry in her spare time.

In addition, she enjoys spending time with her identical twin sister, Katy, who also works as an English teacher at San Gabriel High School, and her newborn nephew. Her passion for animals has led her to participate in greyhound adoption. At home she enjoys playing board games, and confesses in being a political junkie.

“I love politics and I love anything to do with politics. I follow most elections and I watch all the debates,” she said.

As for the future, she hopes to publish some poetry in the next five years and learn Spanish. Whether it’s at home with her sister or at school, this teacher strives to change students’ lives every day.

Guess who?
Answer: Ms. Burkhart