Letters from Students 2020

I spent 4 years not in a traditional classroom. This year I returned and had very challenging school year. To add to that it finished with a pandemic and teaching on-line. But I still asked my kids to write a letter at the end of the year. Letters were typed this year so I was able to accurately preserve all of the original text, for better or worse. This is what they had to say:

Dear Mr. Burrill, Thank you Mr.Burrill for everything you did for me this year. In the beginning of the year my grade was not good at all but you kept pushing me to better and helped me succeed. Thank you for the tutoring sessions that you held because after I went to one of those I had improvement in my grade and was doing much better then before. Math will never be my favorite subject but thank you for making me work and not giving up on me. I will remember those tutoring sessions for the future because if you get help on something you struggle in you can still succeed. So in all I thank you Mr.Burrill for everything you did for my classmates too because for some of the things you did they probably succeeded. Sincerely, JB

Dear Mr.Burrill Thank you for always making us laugh. I've had a lot a fun before but never like this, it is hard to think that I am not gonna see you in middle school anymore but I can still drop by to say hi. I wasn't great at math but you helped me become who I am, a good kid. I enjoyed the whole class, it made me happy to think that I get to go to the class that a like. I will miss you and so will the whole class. This doesn't mean the end but goodbye. Sincerely, AC

Dear Mr.Burrill, This must have been a crazy first year for you. I know I enjoyed it. Must have been lucky to get the best math teacher two years in a row. My favorite part of the class isn't just one thing. I enjoyed a lot of things. Stories, player and coach, secret competitions with others classes. Everyone loved that class. We all got along so well. I'm am upset that we didn't get our party because I'm pretty sure we won. We never got to meet your wife either. The year ended at the same time it did last year, but for whatever reason it felt shorter. Now it's almost over. This isn't goodbye for all of us. Just for the ones who have the AUDACITY not to come visit when schools reopen. This will not end in the word goodbye, but in the word soon. Why? Because that's when you'll see us again. Soon. Sincerely, N

Dear Mr. Burrill,  They say all good things must come to an end. And they’re right. I truly hope my high school year will be as exciting and enjoyable as you have made this year for me. You have earned a special place in my memories and I will never forget you. You've truly made a difference in my life. I mean you have to be one of the coolest math teachers. Not trying to make it up or sound like anyone else you are.   Even though it seems like I don't like your class or I'm annoying and talk back too much (sorry I'm a little crazy and I do fully apologize for how rude I was ) you really are an awesome Teacher and you have always heard me and helped me even when I did not deserve it. Your class was funny, loud, crazy, but sometimes it could get boring and dull but somehow you pulled us back to your attention. I can also proudly say that you are NOTHING like Mr. Smallwood. Your class was enjoyable. Finally i just want to say in your class i actually understood what you were teaching.                  So Mr. Burril Thank you for being my math teacher. For being accepting, Kind, Funny, Chill, and letting math be fun. I hope you get your own classroom so you can express yourself.  I know i've said this 1000 times but thank you sooooo much for being my math teacher. I will miss you. Sincerely,  (MW)

dear mr. burrill, this year we long and difficult and we had our ups and downs but i can genuinely say you were good to me you put up with my bs even when i was hard to deal with and you and i both know i had my moments. but you made the year fun and and eventful and for that i thank you. you are kind , strong, funny, and a good teacher. thank you and i appreciate you for being patient with me through it all . thank you take care be safe and have a grate summer. sincerely- SC

Dear Mr. Burrill, despite me not really taking a liking in math I really enjoyed being in this class. I also learn a lot of math. This is probably by far one of my most favorite classes because it never gets too boring, I get to learn some math (math actually is fun once you know how to do it), and it's just before lunch! --A

Dear Mr. Burrill, One thing I really liked about being in your class is how you told stories. I say this because they helped us learn more about you and it gave us a chance to have little breaks in between lessons. Something I learned from you is to have confidence. You always called me a great student saying ""I could do it"" when I didn't think so myself. It really helped me look at the positive side of things. Something I will always remember is ""y to get over your x"". It's honestly pretty funny. Something I've never had the chance to tell you is that I'm shy and that adds on to the reason why I didn't ask for much help from you. Sorry about that. Anyways, I will always be glad that you were my teacher and I was your student! Sincerely, SC

Dear Mr. Burrill, Your class was super fun and I really enjoyed it. After lunch, I always looked forward to going to 6th period. I'm going to miss all the crazy stories that you would tell us. They were truly interesting and very weird. I learned lots of stuff I wouldn't have been able to learn last year. You're definitely a better math teacher then my 7th grade math teacher was. The way you taught and how you asked if we had questions was really helpful. You were like a friend to me. I felt comfortable asking you for help and I felt comfortable enough to participate which I rarely do. Your class was really like no other. It was both entertaining and educational at the same time. I think It's really funny how you'd get off track and start telling us about your life. You telling us about your life made me feel more comfortable in the classroom and made me feel more at home. Thank you for the great year in your classroom and I will forever remember it. Sincerely, SV

I really loved this year and it sucks that I couldn't be there to say my farewells. I really liked how everyone could be themselves in your class. I have learned a lot of skills while I was in your class and also to not give up on anything that's hard. I will remember all the laughs and stories that we have shared throughout the year. I will also remember the important lessons you have taught us this year like there is a time to joke around and a time to be serious. Anyway I will miss those memories thank you for them. Goodbye Sincerely, AA

Dear Mr.Burrill, Hey, Mr. Burrill I just wanted to start off by saying thank you for everything you have done for me this year. You have provided me with a lot of help this year, and have helped me gain confidences in many areas, such as, communicating with my group, independent work, and staying focused when in time limited tests. Not just in math have you been good, you have been fun to be with in advocacy as well, all the games we played and rallies we went to were fun. Thank you again for everything you have done, stay safe, and enjoy the rest of your day. From SS

Hi Mr.Burrill, I just wanted to say I loved your class. You were the first teacher I had met on my first day and you were super nice to me. You made me understand the lessons more and gave me more opportunities even though you never needed to and I am thankful for that. If you didn't let me redo the assignments that I had not done my grade would.ve still been horrible and I would've been super stressed. So thank you, thank you for being super chill about it as well. Much love and to be honest, you were my favorite teacher!!!  - MB

Dear Mr. Burrill, i would like to start off with a amazing year that i had. The things i have learned and the success that i earned. It is sad to see a wonderful teacher leave my journey. I would like to thank you for teaching me new ways to solve math problems. The thing that i would never forget is the drawing challenge that you did with us. I will go to MT for one year and i hope you can one day go see one of my soccer games that i will have in the future. I want to say that you are a great teacher and to not let anyone tell you that you are not good enough or that you cant do it because i believe in you. Thank you for taking your time to listening to this paragraph that i made for you. Goodbye Mr.Burrill. sincerely, LA

Dear Mr. Burrill What I've learned in this class is that math is for everyone. Also that there is no such thing as a "math person." Sincerely, DF

Hey Mr.burrill i just wanted to say good-bye, thank you for everything you've taught me, you were an amazing math teacher.  I had a lot of fun in math class with you and the other students, they sure made me laugh. Im pretty sure the 7th grade students will love you. It kinda sucks how we have to spend the end of 8th grade like this. But otherwise then that i hope you'll have an amazing day and a awesome year.                                                                                                                                                           By: AT

Dear Mr. Burrill, I just wanted to say thank you for putting up with our class period. I get that we were the loud type and misbehaved a lot, and seeing you deal with that everyday was just so astonishing. You had a lot of patience for us. This year in your class I learned lots of math related things (of course), and I also learned lots of life lessons? I enjoyed the story telling and the bond we had as a group. Math was one of my favorite classes, believe it or not. It was a very chill and relaxing environment to be in, and it made me comfortable. Again thank you for putting up with us. I appreciate your effort and I will never forget you as a teacher. Even though our class was probably not the best class ever, I'm sure all of us had fun. Hope your next year's classes won't be as bad as us. (,: Sincerely, KT

Dear Mr Burrill, Math has been my least favorite subject until I began your math class. The thing that I'll remember the most is you Mr Burrill, because our grades have gotten better in your class. You actually won't be so serious all the time and you won't have us dislike you because you were always kind and nothing ticks you off easily. Sincerely, your future scholar DT

What I think that is important is that you stay the way you teach, and tell your students stories. and the way you interact to your students. What i'm basically saying is to stay yourself.    All in all, I really had fun in your class and learned so much at the same time, thanks for being the most funniest, coolest, and nicest teacher I had in 8th grade. Sincerely, JE

Dear Mr.Burrill,            Some things I learned in your class are for one I learned things in your class that I was supposed to learn in 7th grade. Like integers and volume. I liked how out of all of my math teachers I actually understood math for the first time from your class. I will be scared that I won't understand anything in high school.   Somethings about myself, math has never been my strong usually I would get B's. But this year, my 8th-grade year I actually understood and got A's. this math year was really fun because I understood and my friends were in that class which made it even better. I enjoyed your class because you taught differently from other math teachers which gave me a way to understand what you taught.   I still can't believe this is goodbye. I don't want it to be because I am scared to grow up and be a high schooler but I guess life doesn't give you much of a choice. I'm gonna miss you and my 8th-grade math class, Mr.Burrill. Keep teaching and having fun, you really helped me and I appreciate it. So thank you. Sincerely, KMG

Dear Mr. Burrill, thanks for being an amazing teacher, I really enjoyed my 4th period class. I learned so many lessons and ways to solve any math problem. My favorite memory in class was when we did the white board competition. I am really going to miss 4th period. I had so much in that class and met so many amazing friends. sincerely~ MJ

Dear Mr. Burrill,    This year was a great year being in your classroom. I had so much fun and I am going miss your class specifically because we had so much laughs together. Something I appreciated about the class is that everyone was down to earth and everyone had so much humor. It didn't make me feel worried when I walked inside your classroom. Something I learned in your classroom is to let loose and take steps by steps because in all my other classes, I was really stressed going into the classrooms but I knew that your class would be easy to handle because you know how to make us less stressed and you don't put everything on our plate like all the other teachers and I am very grateful to have you as my last period bc I would probably be stressing and asking a lot of questions. Something I will remember is your story times and when someone gets in trouble, we make it fun and when you put someone on blast. Another thing I will always remember is you forgetting where your water bottle is and those days where you kept coughing. I will always remember the little things. Something I think is important about our class is that we were that talkative class and I feel like that's what made us like you a lot because you aren't strict and thank god you aren't because I would be scared to even talk to you but the importance about our class is that our class is like no other class, like we are one odd class, we talk when we want to, we listen when we want to and that is very weird of us. Another thing that is important to me is that you were a very understandable teacher and you provide us with anything you can to be pass 8th grade and I think you achieved that because you were really a great teacher. Something about me that I never told you is that I am a very stubborn person.  Something I want to say since we can't say goodbye in person is, be safe, you are appreciated by so many students and you did your job really well. Sincerely,              JT

Dear Mr. Burrill, i have enjoyed being in this class.  I really liked the art contests after we would finish our test. I will miss the laughs that the class and I had. Everyday i thought i would fail math, but the new friends I've made in your class helped me through it.  Now that I am out of your class, i would and could say your class is was a breeze but we know that's not true LOL! It was hard and difficult, but i had a great teacher and great friends. -L

You were one of the best teachers at that school and I'm going to miss our class. - MC

Dear Mr. Burrill I learned that I could like math and that I just needed a good teacher to teach me. I enjoyed being good at a subject for one and that I could help someone with math. I am very happy that I had this class and very thankful to Mr. Burrill. I am very sorry that I have not been trying this term. I am just horrible at online class and that is only on me and I know I can do better and I am disappointed in my self.Thank you for all you have done sorry I couldn't be better this term. " -A

Dear Mr.Burrill I have been very honored and happy to be in your class as your first year teaching at Edward Harris. You have helped everyone succeed in the class and also adapted to the family at our school. You are a very good teacher putting your time to help kids after school instead of doing your own things. I thank you for being the best teacher you can be even though you did not have your own classroom and hope that you do get one soon. I have learned a lot in your class things that do not even included math and things that are important in life. Something I never had the chance to tell you is that is thanking you for putting time and effort in me to be me as a math student in 8th grade. I only liked a few people in our class but it was still fun. Even though your rules were different and you methods of solving problems you taught me new things. Also that you always want everyone to be a part of what we are doing. Even though our class was loud you have always kept your cool. You did some things teachers would not do but it is worth it. Stay safe and keep doing what your doing.                                                                                                                      Sincerly, MS

Dear, Mr.Burrill    I had a great time in this class and really enjoyed having your first year at EHMS with me. Even though you were new to technology and how the school works you were still having a positive attitude to everything and was getting used to the material instantly. You had funny stories to tell us and that's one of my favorite parts of class I also had lots of people I knew that I could talk to and I wouldn't be in trouble. In sum, you were by far one of my favorite teachers that I had because of all of the help that you actually gave me like some teachers they don't help at all and I am very grateful for having you as a teacher and as a helper. -DP

Dear Mr. Burrill,          I am glad you were patient with us and helped our class. I'm glad I was in your class for my last year at Edward Harris. Something I hope you keep for next year's class was your teaching methods. It made it really easy to understand math and the daily warm-ups helped a lot. I liked the notebooks and rally coach. I also really liked your stories and jokes. I'm happy you shared some of your life with the class. With much appreciation, DO

Dear Mr. Burrill, I want to start off by thanking you for a super fun year, and making it a really comfortable to be in the class. I always felt like it was way more entertaining when we were learning a new subject. I always felt welcome in the class and when we would do any type of group projects. Every time we would do any type of partner work or group work everyone was so helpful and talkative, and the lesson was usually set up very well. And even though the class was really talkative, it was a great and accepting class and environment to be in and it eventually became one of my favorite classes to engage myself in. It was even better that everyone got a long and there thankfully wasn't too much arguing or crying in the class and it was just such an amazing class to be in. You taught very well and with such enthusiasm and it made the class 10x better. Thank you for the amazing year!                   Signed, GH

Dear Mr. Burrill, It’s been a wild ride in middle school. Full of laughter, fun, and absolute chaos. Memories I will miss here in EHMS, and memories I hope to make when I get to high school and so on. I feel very sad to be no longer a member of this class. This class was the most energetic and fun class. Full of amazing people such as yourself. I appreciate the hard work and time you have put in to us to help us become successful. I will cherish these bits of moments forever. It only seemed like yesterday that this was our first day. Realizing this was our last. I hope reading this doesn't make you sad. I hope you reading this. Will always make you remember the class of 6th period math class of 2019-2020. The class that gets lively after lunch. And smile. And I say with great sadness, “Goodbye.” I am honored to be a student of yours, and I hope you have a great summer. Sincerely, AK

Dear Mr.Burrill, I had a crazy year and had fun but now it’s time to say bye to you. I appreciate you always letting me to try on things in class and let me be where i wanted when it came to sitting in the front because when i was in front of the class i was learning and kinda made me want to keep going because i was doing good but then i came in some days not having the best days but i should’ve kept working but i just let my grades drop which i shouldn’t have. I loved how the class got along and was always kinda just having a good time even when it did come to school the class was trying after all you did for us to actually start paying attention. We for sure were a lot to handle and you managed to handle us the right way and figure it all out you were new and it wasn’t easy just happy you got use of it and the hang of it. We’re all going to miss coming to second period with you especially since we had you all year and not the other classes. I’m happy we are at the end of the year and finally getting summer but i will miss my teachers. I hope you have a good summer and fabulous rest of the years you work as a teacher for school. You can do this and be the best teacher to everyone else just as you were for us. We all enjoyed being there even if it felt like we didn’t . You gave us days off of homework when needed and i liked how it was like we had a choice like not have homework because we needed to practice more that always helps me and others in the class.                                                             Now, it’s come to the end of it and now it time to say all the goodbyes. I just wanted to say that i thank you for all the help you had given and all the days you delt with each and every one of us that had bad days and was giving you a hard time that you’re good teacher . Thank you for everything you did this year we will miss you . have a good rest of your life and I hope to see you at a different school or something again bye.                                                              -JB

Will you ever have the separate classroom to Ms. Siggard? The world may never know. -JC

Dear Mr. Burrill,        It was a good year with you. I am sorry that you had to send me to R.P a lot but I did learn my lesson. I have enjoyed math a lot more now. It is hard for me to stay focused but in the end I did end up getting my work done. I want to thank you for being my teacher. It was a good year with you.                                                                                                     Sincerely, DJ

dear mr,burrill good bye -E