Also written by Victoria Majeske
Mr. Burdick, who currently teaches AP Government, Economics, and US History, announced his intention to retire earlier this year. His 23-year LHS tenure has made him a staple of the Social Studies Department.
Mr. Burdick went to Michigan State University majoring in International Studies and of course, Secondary Education. He also has a masters from the University of Denver in International Studies. And obviously, he is certified in the instruction of social studies. “I am qualified to teach every social studies class there is,” said Burdick.
He knew he wanted to be a history teacher in junior high school, eventually ending up at Littleton in 1999.
Burdick found Littleton to be an impressive school the first time he walked through the doors. “I came for an interview in June with the principal and department chair at the time. The secretary at the time gave me a copy of the student newspaper and I was impressed. Looks like we have some quality students in this building.“
Our current principal, Mrs. Benton, is Mr. Burdick’s eighth principal of his career.
“There are ups and downs of every job. Grading essays is no fun, I don’t like that, but it’s fun to mess with the kids and I like the topics. Fulfilling, yes,” he remarked of his time at Littleton.
“On occasion, as teachers, not just me, we actually do get students say ‘Wow you’re great you made a difference’, often times not, but there are times you see it in their eyes or their body language, not wanting to say it, but there were also kids who probably hated my guts. It comes with the territory,” he said in regard to whether or not he made a difference here.
When asking Mr. Burdick about the legacy he has left at Littleton High School over his twenty-plus years working here he said, “My legacy is for other people to determine. I don’t know if I have left a legacy behind,” he said. “They didn’t have a girls golf team ‘til I got here, they do now, maybe that.”
Though Burdick doesn’t have any concrete plans, he hopes to spend his time doing things he couldn’t do as a teacher. ”I will try to play some golf and I already bought my ski pass for next winter. I got some ideas in mind for where I want to travel, too. One thing I’m looking forward to is in this profession we get a lot of time off, but we never get to choose when it is. Other people decide when our vacations will be. I am looking forward to taking road trips in the spring or the fall. No big plans or anything of that nature.”
Thank you Mr. Burdick for dedicating many years to the Littleton community and the history department. We have appreciated all your hard work. We wish you all the best as you go into retirement.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Sutterer
