This September, Mount Greylock physics teacher Shawn Burdick was recognized by iBerkshires as Teacher of the Month. For the past four months, in partnership with Berkshire Community College, iBerkshires has been recognizing Berkshire County teachers as a Teacher of the Month, and Burdick is the first high school teacher to receive the award.
Burdick has taught in the science department at Mount Greylock for almost 25 years. When asked why he was drawn to physics and the sciences, Burdick said, “Growing up on a farm made me very interested in all sciences and their practical applications… We had to fix stuff, build stuff, we did a little carpentry and electrical work, and all of this was science.”
Burdick said he was inspired to become a physicist as a child. “When I was in the fourth grade I read this book called ‘A Wrinkle In Time,’ and Meg’s father was a physicist. If he could do what all of these aliens could, I thought, that is what I wanted to be.”
Burdick’s physicist aspirations continued into high school and college. After he received his PhD, Burdick said he was drawn back to Mount Greylock. “My Brother, Mr. Burdick, was a teacher here, and in August he gave me a call saying, ‘Hey, The physics teacher just quit. Do you want a job?’ I immediately went in, applied, and got the job, and now I have been here going on 25 years.”
In order for someone to become eligible for Teacher of the Month, a student, parent, or colleague must nominate a candidate for the award. A former student nominated Burdick for Teacher of the Month. Burdick said this meant more to him than if a parent or colleague had been the one to nominate him. “The students are the ones who [are in my class], and we’re here to help the students learn and like it,” he said.
All other teachers recognized as Teacher of the Month by iBerkshires and BCC have been elementary school teachers, so Burdick was proud he was the first high school teacher to be recognized. Burdick is not the only Mount Greylock Regional School District teacher recognized. Teacher Jenna Dickinson from Williamstown Elementary School was recognized as May’s Teacher of the Month.
To be valued for his impact on young people, especially with a Berkshire-wide recognition, is an honor. Burdick cares about who and what he teaches, reminding us that, “Physics, it turns out, always makes sense. It’s kind of exciting that way.”
When asked why he thought he received the award Burdick said, “Because I’m Dr. B.”
