Joanne M. Burton

College attended: Northern Illinois University

Education: B.S. of Education. I also have over 80 hours of additional education, since college, in several different areas of studies. I enjoy being a student as much as being a teacher! Learning is a life long commitment.

What are you certified to teach: Language Arts and Math, but I enjoy classes in special education, gifted education, and sciences.

Extra curricular activities (coaching and scholastic): Student Council, which involves working with 32 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders on running the student government. Also the Pep Club, which was held during the boy’s basketball season. At the start of our season we had 76 members who were able to be involved. It was awesome! What a fun group. I am also one of the play directors. This years play will be Snow White.

E-mail address: joburton@kidsroe.org
*Attention*: This e-mail address is intended for correspondence that is not of a time sensitive nature. If you have information that is time sensitive, please contact the school by phone. Under normal circumstances you may expect a response by e-mail in 72 hours. This time frame could be longer when school is not in session or the person you are attempting to contact is out of the district due to illness or professional leave.

Classes you teach: This year I teach sixth grade in the areas of English, reading, math, advisory and study skills.

A little bit of information about yourself (family, hobbies, interests): I am the third oldest of nine children (three sisters and five brothers). I’m an aunt to 18 wonderful nieces and nephews. My first job after college was working for Holiday Inn and Perkins Restaurants as a general Manager and New Store Trainer. This was a great job involving lots of unique, long-term travel opportunities, where I had the chance to teach adults. Then my heart was set on finding the ideal teaching job, and getting back into the classroom. Indian Creek was a perfect match for me and I’ve been teaching here since 1986, I’ve been a lead teacher since 1988. In my free time I enjoy reading, golfing, and traveling. I spent the last two summers traveling in Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, France, and Switzerland to name a few. I traveled with local high school students and learned as much as they did. My golf game is my constant project. It needs a lot of work, but I enjoy the hours of practice that it takes. After that I’m usually exhausted so I relax at home with a good book.

What do you enjoy about teaching: My enthusiastic students are the reason I love teaching. Their positive attitudes and willing spirits make it a pleasure to come to school every day. Being at ICMS is like being a part of a huge family. We work hard together, reach for the stars, and accomplish so much.

Additional Information: At the district level I serve on the Curriculum Advisory Council, Labor Relations Committee, School Improvement Team, Illinois School Review Team, and I am the Building Representative for the Extra Curricular Yearly Review, and CCC member.

Upcoming Projects: I plan to continue the work on fifth grade orientation. As we build strong bridges between fifth and sixth grades, I know the students will benefit the most. I am looking forward to ICMS after school programs, that are in the works for next year.

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