Schools
Generations of students honor retiring teacher, Shirley Burris
When she retires, this Dewitt Elementary kindergarten teacher will have taught for 50 years.
Generations of students and teachers, past and present, filled the cafeteria Friday to honor Shirley Burris for her 50 years of teaching.
She taught kindergarten classes for 49 years and plans to retire at the end of this academic year.
“I’ve enjoyed every kid I’ve ever had. It’s hard to believe I’ve had over 2,700 kids come through my doors,” said Burris, 71, of Cuyahoga Falls.
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The daylong celebration began with a school assembly, followed by an after-school open house. During the open house, more than 200 students, friends and colleagues greeted Burris.
Current and former students created a scrapbook of notes and memorabilia, as well as a video of messages for her.
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“I had Mrs. Burris 33 years ago, and now my daughter has Mrs. Burris -- both of us for kindergarten," said Erin Barnett of Cuyahoga Falls. "I didn’t think she would ever retire. She just loves all the little kids so much.”
Burris always makes students feel welcome, said Barnett, also a member of the PTA that organized the open house.
“She’s fun,” said her 5-year-old daughter, Tegan.
Another of Burris’ former students is now a teacher at Dewitt.
“When I was in college, studying to be a teacher, I did a little observation with her," said Joyce Mancini, who teaches first graders. "That was at the Broad Street School. She was Miss Grange, then.”
Burris is a well-respected member of the staff who, despite her longevity, stays up-to-date with classroom methodology and technology, said Mancini.
“She didn’t want a big hoopla made," said Mancini. "But I said when it’s been 50 years, you get a big hoopla.”
Two of her former students, siblings Derek and Lauren Scott, stood in line to congratulate Burris on her accomplishments.
“I wanted to say ‘Hi’ to Mrs. Burris," said Derek, now a junior at ." She’s very nice and caring.”
Burris said she hopes to come back after her retirement to help tutor students.
“I think 50 years is long enough to teach," she said. "There’s a lot of young teachers who need a job, and I felt like it was time. It’s been an awesome career.”