Bonnie Burkland

elementary kindergarten teacher

Natoma, Kansas

Hometown: I was born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland. My parents grew up around Manhattan, Kansas and moved there when my father was in the Air Force and later worked for NSA.

Undergraduate degree: one in Criminal Justice and another in Paralegal Studies

Why I chose teaching: My children were attending school and I started volunteering at the school when they were three and in our Tiger Tots program. When they were in seventh and ninth grade, I decided to go back to school and get my degree in teaching. I loved helping at my school and volunteering and decided I could help students even more by being a teacher.

Why I selected K-State’s MAT program: I selected the KSU MAT program because it was the best program available to get a Master of Arts in Teaching. It also didn't hurt that my dad and siblings also graduated from KSU.

Why I’m a unique teacher: I am starting out teaching at an older age. I think this is an advantage as my own children are now teenagers and I have more time to devote to my classroom students. I also graduated from the KSU MAT program when covid first started. I started teaching online my first year with Kansas Connections Academy.

“I am very thankful for the wonderful support that KSU provides through this program. Everyone was very helpful and encouraging, preparing all of us to be successful teachers.”