Burrows named County Teacher of Year

“We know that love of learning is the most important gift that we can impart to our students. We know that we measure our legacy as a teacher by how well we inspire a lasting love of learning beyond our classroom ... My method is as simple as it is effective: challenge then success, then more challenge, then more success.” 

Eric Burrows, a former district attorney who has worked as a social studies teacher at San Marcos High School in the Santa Barbara High School District for 10 years, was named 2005 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made by County Superintendent of Schools Bill Cirone at a press conference convened at the April 1 meeting of the county board of education.

Burrows, one of a number of outstanding countywide nominees for the honor, was selected by a committee including representatives of teachers, administrators, and PTAs. Two Distinguished Educators were also named and will be announced at the May board meeting.

Superintendent Cirone expressed congratulations for Burrows’ professionalism, enthusiasm, creativity, and successes in the classroom and in the community.

Burrows teaches 10th, 11th, and 12th grade classes in U.S. History, AP U.S. History, World History, GATE World History, AP European History, Law and Society, and Mock Trial. He holds a B.A. in history from Stanford University, an M.A. in public policy analysis from Claremont Graduate School, a law degree from Boalt Hall School of Law at UC Berkeley, and a social studies teaching credential from Holy Names College.

Prior to working as a teacher he was Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County. “Students often ask whether I miss being a district attorney and my response is always, ’Of course, but there is nothing better than teaching,’” he wrote. “Teaching is an intensely personal experience — more demanding, more exciting and more rewarding — because of the opportunity to work with the students.”

Burrows’ awards and honors have been numerous. He received the San Marcos High School Royal Service Award, and he was named San Marcos Teacher of the Year, by the Santa Barbara Notre Dame Club, as selected by the school’s student body. He received a Teachers Network Disseminator Grant for his Harlem Renaissance Lesson; an Honorary Service Award by the California Parent Teacher Student Association; and was named Teacher of the Year by the Santa Barbara Industry Education Council (now Partners in Education) for his outstanding contribution to career education. He was a nominee for Disney Teacher of the Year and was named teacher of the year by the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara.

Burrows was a member of the San Marcos Restructuring Committee, the San Marcos Site Council and served as co-chair of both the WASC Powerful Teaching and Learning Committee and the Site Council Vision and Leadership Subcommittee. He was a member of the school’s principal search committee as well.

Among his many community, extracurricular, and volunteer activities stands his leadership of his school’s Mock Trial teams. Under his leadership, San Marcos has won the county Mock Trial championship five out of the past seven years and in five of those years a San Marcos junior varsity team placed in the final four as well. In this process he has worked with numerous local attorneys to help coach the team.

He also serves as coach for sports played by his own three sons, and for the past 10 years has volunteered to coach basketball, baseball, and soccer in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Wrote History Department colleague Melanie Jacobson: “Working with Eric as I have since he began his career in education is both humbling and inspiring. That his room is teeming with students when class is not in session attests to his commanding presence: he energizes students — even the most reluctant students — inciting learning through his own passion for it ... He gives his time generously to the students and they give back to him, rising to the intellectual challenges he poses with a brightness in their eyes ... More history majors emerge from his classroom than from any other social studies classroom I know...”

Wrote parent Tish Gainey, as quoted by Jacobson: “Eric Burrows is the kind of teacher a student will never forget ... His enthusiasm and depth of knowledge in both history and the law are unique in a high school teacher. His commitment and devotion to the students and their success is all-consuming — he is a true example, not only for other teachers, but for anyone who aspires to perform at the highest level. I am grateful that my son has had the opportunity to learn from this great teacher.”

Wrote former student Jonathan Kolstad: “Mr. Burrows was hands down the best teacher throughout my education from kindergarten through 12th grade ... Mr. Burrows was a fundamental factor in shaping my direction as a student and as a person ... The intensity and depth of knowledge that Eric Burrows brought to the classroom day in and day out captured my attention as much as — more — than many of the courses I took in college ... As I received an acceptance to a PhD program at Harvard University ... I found myself thinking back to that course [AP U.S. History] as the first time I was able to do original work in a social science field and an early step onto my current career path ... Today I find the ability to articulate an argument and to discuss topics in large groups my greatest skill, and one that has paid immense dividends as a management consultant. I attribute the ability largely to the confidence that Mr. Burrows inspired in me as an attorney for the Mock Trial team ...”

Wrote former student Andrew Abshere: “One of the amazing things about Mr. Burrows is his ability to inspire ... He pushed me to points that I did not know were possible for me ... Is Mr. Burrows dedicated to teaching? Clearly. Is he one of the best communicators of material that I have ever seen? Without a doubt. Does he make a difference in his student’s lives? Yes ... Above all, he wanted to help people become better people. I am one of those students who he helped become a better person.”

Wrote principal Craig Morgan: “This Stanford graduate ... is as unassuming as he is brilliant. In my 30 years in education, I have never witnessed a more professional teacher. He is without a doubt one of the finest teachers I have ever had the pleasure to work with.”

Burrow’s nomination will next be reviewed for consideration as California Teacher of the Year in the fall. The California winner will then proceed into consideration for 2005 National Teacher of the Year.

As Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year, Burrows will be available to speak countywide, and can be reached at San Marcos High School in the Santa Barbara High School District at 967–4581, or at the County Education Office, by calling Carol Gregor at 964-4711, ext. 5281.