Know Your Neighbor: Jim Burgett, former Highland School District superintendent
According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, an educator is a person or thing that teaches something, especially students about certain subjects.
Two hundred years ago, before governments paid teachers, poor communities contributed farm products and produce to pay those who educated their children. Thus, the creation of an apple for the teacher as a suitable gift.
But as society has changed, so have the unwritten responsibilities of those tutoring youngsters. With the decline of the family unit, teachers have become far more than the one reciting the three Rs; they have, in many instances, become counselors, role models, substitute parents and therapists.
Jim Burgett, retired superintendent of Highland School District, firmly believes teaching is not a vocation, job or career; “it is a calling.”
Jim was born in Evanston on Sept. 22, 1945. He had twin brothers eight years older and a sister eight years younger. Though the children were loved and cherished, the parents, William and Lois, suffered from severe alcoholism. Oftentimes Jim, being the middle child, became the family mediator or peacekeeper.
Jim enjoyed the usual boyhood activities of playing outside, riding his bicycle and playing with friends. He said he knew early on he wanted a future as a teacher or an airplane pilot.
Even though the kids did have a religious upbringing, they were exposed to a variety of denominations, including Baptist, Catholicism, Judaism and Christian Science through their parents’ associates, which, no doubt, created considerable confusion.
In junior high school, Jim made friends with a girl two weeks younger; her name was Barb. Also during that time, his parents continued excessive drinking and this was taking a toll on young Jim, even though he did not realize the heavy burden he was carrying.
While attending Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Jim participated in gymnastics, diving and sports and had a special interest in math, science and government. He was on the student council and was class president: he also worked at a Montgomery Ward Catalog Store. So did his friend, Barb. He graduated in 1963, as did Barb, and she left to attend a business school in Chicago.
But when he became a freshman at MWHS, his parents separated for three years. Jim was called in to see Dr. Ben, the dean of boys, for a mandatory review of his course schedule and plans. They quickly bonded and Jim returned to visit him on a weekly basis. Jim said he thought this was standard procedure for all freshmen.
After several weeks, friends began asking him why he had weekly visits with Dr. Ben. He responded with “I thought all freshmen did.” His buddies informed him that was not the case. So during his next session, he inquired to Dr. Ben about the frequency of their sessions.
Dr. Ben compassionately let Jim know he was aware of the situation at home and had purposely afforded him extra time and attention in an effort to help him deal with the weighty cargo of trying to be the man of the house while still at such a tender age.
After Dr. Ben’s explanation, they began visiting on a monthly basis. Jim knew he had an ally who sincerely cared about his well being. In his senior year, his parents reconciled briefly and about eight months later they divorced. By the next year, his mom married another man, which also ended in divorce.
While attending the University of Illinois, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree, Jim and Barb’s paths crossed again and they began dating.
“I think I liked her a lot more than she liked me when we were in high school,” quipped Jim.
The couple recited vows Aug. 26, 1967, and recently celebrated 52 years of matrimony.
Jim enters the teaching profession
After Jim attained his BA during the middle of the year, preparing him to teach high school chemistry, he signed up for graduate school, hoping to get a master’s in counseling in guidance. At the same time, Elizabeth Public Schools in Jo Davies County offered him a one-semester job, which he accepted.
There he taught junior high math, science, and physical education and coached basketball. He said he planned to work that semester and then go back and finish his master’s degree.
“But I loved the kids so much and loved teaching so much, that I accepted their invitation to stay and left 24 years later,” said Jim.
The school’s superintendent then informed Jim four years later he had been hired as the school’s principal. Another four years later and after the superintendent resigned, Jim was named his predecessor even though he was not certified.
During those years, Illinois began consolidating school districts. When the Hanover and Elizabeth school districts began negotiations to consolidate, Jim was ultimately the one chosen to facilitate this sometimes uncomfortable process. He was successful.
Consolidation of school districts can be a tricky situation inasmuch numerous details, schedules, curriculum, programs and processes must be researched and agreed upon. This is no easy task when considering the beliefs and opinions of all those making final decisions. Great care must be taken to not offend and still keep the best interests of the students the primary focus.
Eventually, the Illinois School Board Association hired Jim as their liaison to once again be the mediator. He soon realized he could make a more lasting, positive impact by teaching teachers the importance of focusing on the needs of their charges. Something, no doubt, impressed on him by Dr. Ben.
During these years, Jim and Barb became parents to Stacey, Jennifer and Doug. In 1992, Jim was hired as the superintendent of the Highland School District. Jim said it was a busy year for the family inasmuch they moved to a rental house in Highland while their home was being built, he started his new vocation, their daughter was getting married and he and Barb were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.
“We were certainly welcomed and blessed when we moved here,” exclaimed Jim. “All of Highland’s teachers are outstanding.”
Active in the community, public speaking career
Jim has served on the library board several years and was a member of the Optimist Club and the Economic Development Commission and a member of and Sunday School teacher at First Congregational Church. He has served as a board member and president for two terms for the Highland Chamber of Commerce. He continues to chair the St. Joseph Hospital Board and is a member of the Hospital Sisters Health System, which oversees approximately 15 hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Incidentally, Jim began public speaking in 1985 when the state asked for his assistance to help school districts contemplating consolidation. He then began addressing audiences of teachers, administrators and associations across the United States.
During one such seminar he shared the story of his relationship with Dr. Ben in an effort to emphasize the importance of getting to know your students and developing the ability to perceive any unspoken issues. After having paused for a 15-minute recess, a man at the back of the auditorium raised his hand and announced, “Dr. Ben was my dad.”
“What you try to instill as a teacher, you hope gets through to you own children,” said Jim. “And we are very thankful our kids have turned out being three of the most caring, compassionate adults. Barb has been my biggest blessing. If you base the foundation of your family on God, you can’t go wrong.”
Jim and Barb have seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Jim is the author of eight books, all on the subjects of being an effective instructor and/or principal. One is titled, “Teachers Change Lives 24/7.” Additional information is available at his website www.burgettgroup.com.