At South Highlands Elementary School in Shreveport, fifth-grade teacher and grade-level chair Keith Burton uses technology and inquiry-based learning to show his students real-world applications of science and math. His "Burton Banking" unit teaches students decimals, percentages, computation and banking skills as they organize a school-wide rummage sale. Mr. Burton also engages students in service learning projects such as donating school supplies and books to a nearby school and raising money for victims of September 11. His instructional approach has resulted in higher standardized test scores, and a greater number of students have qualified for admission to advanced-level math classes in middle school. Mr. Burton instructs aspiring teachers in an alternative certification program at a local university and participates in the LaSIP (Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program) science program.
1991 Louisiana State University - Shreveport, B.A.
