For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr. Kathy Knight Burns
904-545-4756
[email protected]
June 11, 2015 1:00 a.m.
After the announcement of Dr. John Ruis’ retirement, School Board member and educator Dr. Kathy Knight Burns announced her intentions to run for Nassau County Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Burns is a native of Nassau County, a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School and has an extensive and accomplished career in education. She earned a Bachelor of Education, a Masters in Elementary Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Burns has spent 20 years in the classroom, eight of which was in Nassau County, and was named Teacher of the Year in 1992, 2008, and 2014.
“There is nothing that motivates me more or brings me greater joy than seeing our children get the best education possible so that they can grow up into successful adults. That’s why I have dedicated my entire career to education and improving our schools, and that’s also the reason I am running for Superintendent of Schools,” stated Burns.
During Dr. Burns’ tenure on the school board, the Nassau County School District has earned an A grade for 10 of the past 11 years, graduation rates have continued to rise and dropout rates have been among the lowest in the state. Her work includes serving on multiple school advisory councils, serving as a member of the Strategic Action Planning Team and serving over five years as Executive Director of ARC Nassau, a local non-profit agency that serves mentally challenged adults. After her election to the school board in 1998, Burns continued her teaching career outside of the district as required by law.
“As a teacher and a school board member, I have had the privilege to work for and with Superintendent Dr. John Ruis. He taught everyone that excellence was only achieved through true ‘TEAMWORK.’ That’s my philosophy as well. As Nassau County’s next Superintendent, we will remain an A District; students, parents and teachers will be our top priorities; “This election is truly about our children’s future.”
So thrilled that we have a candidate who has been in the classroom and understands the challenges teachers and students face in meeting high expectations and the demands of rigorous standards. Leadership through experience is what we need in our public schools!
Does she acknowledge the fact of evolution?
I thought it was called the theory of evolution, have y’all changed that too?
Don’t need a litmus test Charles.