THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Central High School science and special education teacher Kyle Burton has a gift for caring about her students.

“It is most important to me that my students learn how to become successful and responsible adults,” she said. “I want to teach them the values of being a good person while they are with me.”

Burton holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in psychology and the other in social work, both from LaGrange College. She began her career as a child counselor at a domestic violence shelter but realized she could make a difference in others’ lives in a different field.

“I felt that it was time for me to use my gifts and talents in another profession,” Burton said. “That is when I started looking into the education field.”

She began her Thomas County Schools journey as a paraprofessional at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School. Then, the special education director at the time asked her to interview for a teaching position at TCCHS. She completed the Teacher Alternative Preparation Program, or TAPP, to become a certified teacher.

Now wrapping her 18th year as a teacher at TCCHS, Burton instructs students in physical science, biology, and earth systems. She has a passion and appreciation for science and the natural world.

“I was the child that was always outside finding paths to walk in the woods, playing with wild critters, and enjoying every minute of outside time,” Burton said. “I am inspired by the interactions of the environment and how everything depends on each other.”

Burton’s students rely on her positive, fun and warm personality. 

Sophomore Zora Mitchell, 17, a physical science student, likes Burton’s jovial attitude.

“She laughs and jokes a lot and wants to have fun,” Mitchell said. “When she teaches, it’s not boring; she makes it fun to learn.”

Junior Elizabeth Harris, 17, also a physical science student, remarks on Burton’s warmth.

“She always tries her best to make sure we succeed, and she has a gentle, kind personality,” Harris said.

What Burton most enjoys about working within her program is the small class sizes and the ability to work one-on-one with each student. She describes her teaching style as laid back with lots of hands-on learning activities.

“My class structure is consistent with many routines so the students know what to expect next,” Burton said.

Burton’s students appreciate her hands-on approach. Harris enjoyed the periodic table decoding assignment because it was like a puzzle students had to unravel. Mitchell liked the atom cakes.

“We showed the different parts of the atom with icing and M&Ms,” she said.

The main lesson she hopes her students learn from her class is to respect each other and the world in which they live. However, her students have also taught her many lessons, including how everyone’s family dynamic is unique and important to them. Burton embodies this sentiment in how she cares for her students.

“My favorite part about my job is being able to be a stable, loving, caring, and supportive adult in the lives of my students,” she said.

And her caring personality extends beyond her classroom. Married to her husband Christopher for 28 years, they have two adult children. Indoors, she loves reading, knitting, and watching nature documentaries; outdoors, she enjoys camping, fishing, the beach, and nature walks. They also have a plethora of animals, including a dog and 10 pet chickens.

“During the quarantine of 2020, I got some new chickens and named them all after the pandemic: Rona, Covid, Purell, and Charmin,” Burton said. 

On the clock, her favorite school activities include homecoming week and graduation.

“I get to dress up with my fellow teachers and the students and be ridiculous,” she said of homecoming. “It is so much fun dressing up and acting silly. My other favorite time of the year is graduation when I get to watch the students who have struggled to make it walk across the stage and get their diploma.”