One of the foundational premises of our transformative approach is the belief that education belongs to the individual student. Therefore, each journey needs to be uniquely structured to their interests, abilities, and, moreover, the future ambitions of each student.  You often hear the phrase “meet students where they are” in education. 

At Burrell, we not only meet students where they are, we endeavor to understand WHO they are and what they want to be.  We do this in part by constructing and fostering communicative relationships with all stakeholders – learners, families, employers, and the community.  Burrell also reimagines education by empowering teachers through innovative concepts like our collaborative personal learning communities and embracing the idea that there is more than one pathway to the future. The concept of Multi-Tiered Support Systems (MTSS), where we address the needs of the “whole child,” including their social-emotional well-being as well as their academic development, is also central to our approach.   

Change is never easy.  But it is necessary.  Burrell School District’s leadership and educators are invested, encouraged, and excited about the transformations taking place in our schools and communities today.  We hope you will be as well.   

Sincerely,

Dr. Shannon Wagner, Superintendent of Schools