Mr. Jacob Burns has been involved with Triton practically his entire life. He attended Newbury Elementary, Triton Middle, and Triton High School.

Today, Burns works as a morning preschool teacher at Newbury Elementary School. The first male preschool teacher in the district anyone can remember.

When asked if Burns feels accepted as a man working in a more female-dominated teaching field, Burns says he feels very accepted among his coworkers.

“Every once in a while parents will say something a certain way.” Says Burns. 

Parents always have a remark or two they need to spew out. It’s not common to find a man teaching and caring for children at such a low age, but Burns was hired for a reason.

When Principle Beth Yando was asked what stood out to her when hiring Burns.

“He has an outstanding work ethic,” said Yando. “He is organized and plans activities that are all child centered and developmentally appropriate.”

Not only does Burns have a good relationship with his coworkers, but the children he works with love him as a teacher.

Burns is not only a preschool teacher. He also runs the school’s after school program known as Kid’s Club. Kid’s Club is available for students from all grade levels. It’s a place for students to finish homework, do arts and crafts, play outside, and more  while they wait for their parents to pick them up.

Working with such a young  grade level was not Burn’s first choice. Burns went through years of schooling to obtain his elementary school teaching degree.

Burns started working as an instructional assistant . One day while substituting for a teacher, he realized how much he loved working with younger students.

This realization led Burns to apply for the job of a morning preschool teacher available at Newbury Elementary School, where he works now.

Burns also played a role in the theater program at Newbury Elementary. Student Kaeden Carlson remembers working with him.

“He was very open to helping whoever needs help,” said Carlson

Working in theater also gave Burns experience working with younger students. Carlson remembers him as always being the person someone could go to if there was a problem. He was always just so friendly.