Mrs. Jackie Burklund

School: Harvey Oaks Elementary
Years Teaching: 11

Bio: Mrs. Burklund has been teaching for nine years in the Millard Public School district. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher, there was never any doubt. When she was younger her parents bought her a chalk board. She would use the chalk board and teach to her stuffed animals and dolls. Mrs. Burklund went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She then went to the University of Nebraska-Omaha and received her Master's in Elementary Counseling. Mrs. Burklund's first teaching job was at Plattsmouth as a Third grade teacher and Special Education. She taught there for two years before making the move to Cottonwood Elementary as a Special Education teacher for three years. Mrs. Burklund was looking for a change and Harvey Oaks offered the change she was looking for. When she became a third grade teacher at Harvey Oaks, she believed, that she became part of the most amazing staff of teachers, administrator, para professionals and support personnel (secretaries, custodians, and cooks), and has been there for six years.

Family: Mrs. Burklund is married to Eric Burklund and has been for 10 years. They have one daughter, Meredith age four, who attends preschool at the Gingerbread House and one son, Noah who is 10 months.

Hobbies: Mrs. Burklund enjoys running and exercising when she is not teaching. She also enjoys reading, shopping and hanging out with friends and family.

In Their Own Words: "Good literature is meant to be read more than once." - Mrs. Jackie Burklund

Worthy Recognition: "Jackie Burklund has been with the Millard Public Schools for nine years. She began at Cottonwood Elementary as a Resource Teacher, and this is her sixth year at Harvey Oaks Elementary as a third grade teacher. Jackie's husband Eric is a teacher at Anderson Middle School, and they have two children, Meredith and Noah.

She has an uncanny knack for getting to know her students, and visits daily with each of them about their family, their interests, and/or their sports/hobbies. The kids feel a real connection to her as another adult in their lives who cares deeply about them. She has high expectations and holds students accountable for their academic performance and behaviors.

Jackie has demonstrated a passion for her students, school, and district by taking on many leadership roles within the building and the District. At the building level, she is a member of the Millard Intervention Team Leader, is on the Staff Development Team, leads the Art Club and is a leader on the 40 Developmental Assets Team. She has served on the District Strategic Planning Team and has completed the Millard Leadership Academy through the District.

Parents refer to her as patient, kind and committed to her students, both in the classroom and outside as a Club sponsor.

Her students commend her for encouraging them to be positive, and for letting everyone pitch in so that no one is left out. They say she is the best teacher they know." - Principal Roberta Deremer

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