LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

James Burke was nominated by a friend, Hilary Lozar.

Mr. Burke has impacted the lives of so many students. The stories from his former students' successes in areas such as Microsoft/Google hires, start-up aerospace industries, student leadership opportunities, scholarship winners, and so many more are heartwarming.

"Even from a distance of nearly 500 miles, he still finds time to impact my students. He has traveled here to work with our local Boys and Girls Clubs, my STEM students, and to donate his time and resources to other underserved students in the area," said Lozar. "His passion for education is boundless, and he gives his all to ensure his students and others are getting the most out of their educational experiences."

"He has worked extensively with a start-up called Students2Launch, getting several hundred students to date from underserved areas across the United States to rocket launches in Florida, including 50 students from my area. I met James on that trip, and in true LifeChanger fashion, he changed my life and that of every student attending," said Lozar. "His enthusiasm was so contagious that even our least excited students were captivated by the lessons and presentations we engaged in throughout the trip, especially those Mr. Burke had designed and written himself. Getting 50 middle/high school students to work through a three-hour engineering and design process lesson was truly impressive, and James did it without any trouble. Not only did the students finish their projects, but they worked with dedication, excitement, and drive, which showcased just how engaging of a teacher James is."

Within his school district, Mr. Burke is well known as a teacher of extreme expertise in his field, and one that many students and staff members go to for resources, advice, or ideas. He fills in wherever needed, donates many hours of personal time to his students and district events, and works well past his contract hours with a great attitude. He loves learning new things and is never afraid to try something new.

"He is truly inspirational to me as a teacher, a friend, and a STEM mentor," said Lozar. "Nobody has changed my life quite as much or in as positive a way as James has. He has inspired me to continue my own education, chase some of my childhood dreams, and believe in myself as an educator."