Maggie Burke named SXU and WGN-TV's Teacher of the Month for May

Saint Xavier University has partnered with WGN-TV Chicago to highlight the Teacher of the Month program, which honors educators who make a difference in their communities.

The program recognizes outstanding kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, vocational and special education teachers in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana. Maggie Burke, who teaches fourth-grade reading and writing at Ebinger Elementary School on the city's northwest side is May's Teacher of the Month.

"As a mom, as a parent as a human, you want people to be thoughtful, and I hope I get that across in here," said Burke.

Burke uses innovative teaching methods in her classroom, often allowing students to act out various poems and stories to make them stick. Throughout the classroom, students can be observed laughing, learning and utilizing creativity all at the same time. Burke was nominated by fourth grader Madeline Lynch who could not be happier for her favorite teacher.

"I wanted Mrs. Burke to get this award because she's been teaching for more than 30 years and I know she deserved it, and she's probably my favorite teacher ever in the universe of the world," said Lynch.

Teachers of the Month are chosen based on educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and innovativeness of the program/techniques used by the teacher. Each Teacher of the Month is featured on the WGN-TV news and will receive a certificate of recognition. Additionally, each Teacher of the Month will receive a $1,000 donation from SXU to purchase school supplies for his or her classroom.

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