Jean Burden, a seventh grade English language arts teacher at Loris Middle School, was named Horry County Schools 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach on May 6th. Burden will represent Horry County in the State Teacher of the Year competition.

Jean is congratulated by Will Garland, chairman of the Board of Education (left), and her husband, Dan Burden (right).

"The rewards found in teaching are intangible but incredulous, and they make me want to return every day for more. I love when my students accomplish things they never thought possible. I am overjoyed when they are excited because they finish a book, write a beautiful piece of prose or poetry, or persevere through an arduous task. ...Of course we all feel rewarded when test scores improve, but my greatest joys cannot be measured by charts and data. My ultimate happiness as a teacher comes when we struggle, fail, laugh at ourselves, and persevere together, knowing that the walk of excellence to education and literacy is like no other. I simply enjoy being with my students, and I love getting up every morning being sure that I love my  job and that I am fulfilling my divine purpose in life."

                                         ~ Jean Burden

Jean Burden is a seventh grade teacher at Loris Middle School. She has 28 years teaching experience, 19 of which have been in Horry County Schools. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Winthrop University and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Clemson University.

The four other finalists were: Allie Hilliard, Socastee High School; Etta Greene, Green Sea Floyds High School; Chris Plowman, Aynor Elementary School; and Anthony Rito, Socastee Elementary School.

All of the school level Teachers of the Year and the teachers who earned National Board Certification this past year were also recognized at the ceremony.