This is a guest post by Brian Henris in support for Franklin Burns for the QuickSchools Teacher of the Year award. QuickSchools is a fully-online school management system.

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure…than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

This statement captures the essence of Franklin Burns, a man with the vision, passion and talent to start his own school, The Saint Tower Academy, dedicated to the betterment of special needs students.   Drawing from his own personal experiences, Franklin was able to create an environment where children with special needs could receive the individual attention they need in which to achieve their maximum potential.  This was not accomplished without an extreme measure of self- sacrifice as is generally required when a bold vision is set in motion.   Through a diligent work ethic and by taking very little in the way of compensation, Franklin was able to establish his goal of creating his school dedicated to educating students who need additional modifications or accommodations to be successful in the classroom.

Seeing a need for change when his school district altered their placement for students in the self-contained classroom (life skills and adaptive behavior) in which Franklin worked forced him into action.  One disturbing change was the use of paraprofessionals rather than certified special education teachers in the classroom.   Additionally, emphasis on TAKS testing was having a negative effect on special needs students receiving proper classroom instruction and drawing access to needed resources.   Rather than simply accepting a continued deterioration in the classroom environment, Franklin made a choice to strike out on his own.   As a result, in conjunction with a local church, The Saint Thomas Academy was established.

Today, The Saint Tower Academy is the academic home to seven special needs students who now receive the attention and proper education geared toward producing success in life.  In Franklin’s words, “I chose to change education by creating a school for students with special needs.  Saint Tower Academy accesses the learning modalities of the student and creates an academic program for the student.”  Franklin’s tireless dedication to the betterment of others is worthy not only of nomination, but of securing the title of “Teacher of the Year.”  The spirit of the entrepreneur, as well as the relentless drive of Roosevelt, resides within the mind and heart of Franklin Burns.

Brian Henris

Here’s a beautiful story shared by Allysa Sarkar of how Franklin Burns helped her brother. Simply amazing! You can vote for Franklin here. QuickSchools is a fully-online school management system.

Dear Mr. Burns,

I first met Mr. Burns back in 2007.  My brother started the year in Mr. Burns’s life skills classroom but reschedule into another life skills teacher classroom due to amount of students in his classroom.  My brother’s education started in 2008 at the age of 10.  At first it was difficult for Mr. Burns to educate my brother because he would refuse to do his work and he used foul language during class to avoid work.  Mr. Burns was able to motivate my brother by listening to his interests and implementing those interests in the classroom.  My brother’s behavior improved greatly after four months and he was able to recognize the alphabet letters.  Since my brother wanted to learn more about the presidents of the United States, Mr. Burns used this to motivate my brother to read.  During the beginning of the 2009 school year my brother was able to read basic texts and spell simple words.  He was able to count money and spend money very well.  He was able to count up to thousand dollars by a variety of different bills and coins.  After my brother graduated from elementary my dad hired Mr. Burns to be my brother’s tutor during the summer.  He greatly improved my brother’s math, reading, and writing.  Then Mr. Burns started his own school and wanted my brother to come.  The only problem was my family could not afford the tuition of the school.  Mr. Burns told us not worry because he has it covered.  My brother has been enrolled at Saint Tower Academy for the past 1 ½ years and I have seen so much improvement in all areas of academics.  I’m very thankful that Mr. Burns loves my brother so much that he did not forget him after he graduated.  We even named a spare room called the Mr. Burns room because he tutors my brother in that room during the summer.  I believe Mr. Burns should be the teacher of the year because of his hard dedication and passion for education.

What a sweet poem Tashfiya Sadique, a 7th grader at Annoor Academy wrote in dedication to Teacher Krystal. QuickSchools is a fully-online school management system. You can vote for Krystal Watson here.

Here’s a special poem dedicated to you:

Tr. Krystal,

I’m happy that you’re my teacher;

I enjoy each lesson you teach.

As my role model you inspire me

To dream and to work and to reach.Read More »

Now this is really something! A collection of 6 videos created by the Saint Tower Academy folks in support of Mr Franklin Burns nomination for the QuickSchools Teacher of the Year 2012 award. You can vote for Frank here. QuickSchools.com is a fully-online school management system.

From Mr Imre Szenttornyay

Read More »

This is a guest post by Cindy Terre in support of Paula Randall’s nomination for QuickSchools Teacher of the Year 2012. Vote for Paula here. QuickSchools.com is a fully-online school management system.
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Paula Randall: Teacher, Colleague, Friend

Technology teacher at Regional Learning Academy in Rockford Illinois shows what true devotion to teaching should look like. Paula Randall goes above and beyond her job description, putting extra effort in helping her students find progress in the program. Where many teachers may fall short of what is expected due to lack of motivation, Mrs. Randall searches deep within to teach with love and compassion. Read More »

This is guest post from Silvia Terre-Rivas, a colleague of Paula Randall at Regional Learning Academy.  Paula is in the running for the QuickSchools Teacher of the Year award. Vote for her here. QuickSchools is an online school management system.
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I believe Mrs. Randall deserves the honor of teacher of the year because of her comprehensive work with expelled students throughout the school year, as well as her passion and love for imparting knowledge.  Mrs. Randall thoroughly enjoys learning new material to continually enhance her students’ learning, while growing professionally as well.  She has always made her students’ success her number one priority and continues to persevere forward, so that her students may achieve at the highest level.Read More »

This is a guest post from Brent Johnson, a colleague of Paula Randall, our rockstar teacher and nominee for the QuickSchools Teacher of the Year 2012 award. Vote for Paula Randall here. QuickSchools is an online school management system.
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Mrs. Randall was our Teacher of the Year for The Regional Learning Academy as voted on by her peers. We are a small alternative school serving children who have made mistakes and have been expelled from public school. These children need great role models and teachers that are committed to helping them get back on track. Mrs. Randall provides this mentoring support for our children and does what it takes to help them be successful.Read More »