Meehan Middle School
has Philadelphia’s top teacher

By Diane Villano-Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Her hands shaking, Barbra Burke wiped tears from her eyes as strains of the national anthem filled the Austin Meehan Middle School auditorium last Friday.
Those who sang along had come to honor the beloved literacy teacher, who was selected as the School District of Philadelphia’s Teacher of the Year. The night before, Burke had accepted the Dr. Ruth Wright Hayre Award for excellence in teaching during a ceremony at the Franklin Institute Science Museum.
The honor was accompanied by a $2,500 stipend from the award’s sponsor, Lincoln Investment Planning Inc., that she donated to the middle school on Ryan Avenue. Eleven other finalists for the award, including Eileen Simmons, a teacher at the Greenberg Elementary School in Bustleton, received $250 prizes from the district.
According to the school district, Burke was selected "for her leadership in guiding the school’s literacy efforts, for making learning interesting for students, and for her involvement in school activities, including the National Honor Society, the school fashion show and the eighth-grade graduation."
Burke, who was nominated for the award by Meehan’s administration, hugged more than a dozen teachers and administrators. They had sung her praises, offering such descriptions as "an exceptional teacher" and someone "who believes so strongly in her students that she gets kids to believe in themselves."
Literacy teacher Angela Ormond said that Burke tirelessly leads by example and gives students a pat on the back (often in the form of Jolly Ranchers candy) for every success in the classroom.
Meehan principal Mary Jackson called Burke — who came to the school in 1998 as a substitute teacher — a good, kind and hardworking individual.
"It’s our unbelievable good fortune that she stayed," Jackson said.
Burke, known for her innovative teaching and motivational techniques, started a club at the school where boys and girls pledged to get better grades on mandated proficiency tests and worked toward that goal.
Marylouise DeNicola, superintendent of the school district’s East Region, said that Burke is having an impact not only on Meehan but on schools throughout the region.
"All of the schools are going to have clubs," she said.
Burke’s brother David Gregory, currently on sabbatical as Meehan’s physical education teacher, emceed last week’s ceremony at Meehan.
Gregory joked, as only a brother could, that when he received the phone call about coming up to Philadelphia from Florida, he thought he was the one who received the honor.
He also reminded his sister that he got her the job at the school.
Burke received a standing ovation as her brother presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
"I’m absolutely shocked, honored and thrilled to be honored like this," she said.
Burke thanked her principal for all that she does at the school, for believing in her, and for nominating her as a candidate for the district award.
"Next week every student in the school gets a Jolly Rancher," she said. ••
Reporter Diane Villano-Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com