ZANDREA STORY: And if we need help with college, if we don’t know the answer, she’s the person I would go to.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: When we spoke with Mrs. Burgess’ principal, he mentioned that she is very involved in the school community and was recently named 2025 Future Business Leaders of America State Advisor of the Year. In addition to Future Business Leaders of America, Mrs. Burgess provides a space for Purposed, which is the school’s student-led fellowship. Through her dedication to these programs, Mrs. Burgess encourages not only the academic growth of her students but also their personal and professional development.

MRS. BURGESS: So with the FBLA, I was actually a member of FBLA when I was here. I actually went to school at Greenbrier, graduated, went to college, and then I’m back here teaching. So I was actually a part of FBLA during my high school years. And then it went on into college years at UCA. I was the president at UCA one year for what was called PBL, which is the collegiate level of FBLA. And then I have a love for my church and a love for my students. So when they said that Purposed needed someone to step in and give them a space to meet and things like that, I felt like that was where I should be.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Zandrea’s nomination highlighted how Mrs. Burgess sets her students up for success beyond high school. Equipping them with the tools they need to make informed personal and financial decisions. For Zandrea, Mrs. Burgess has supported her with making informed decisions and saving for college.

ZANDREA STORY: I think especially with finance, right now we’re learning about insurance, we’ve learned about loans. That’s stuff that I didn’t know about going into it. And as a high school student, I have a part-time job and I like to spend my money. And so me and Mrs. Burgess have been working on not spending it and trying to save, especially for college.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: In our conversation with Mrs. Burgess, she spoke about her passion for ensuring her students are exposed to real-world examples and experts who can support them in preparing for their future. Through utilizing practical applications in the classroom, her goal is to bridge the gap between academics and the workplace to equip students with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue new opportunities.

MRS. BURGESS: So I think the best way to learn is if you have an understanding about what other people have gone through. So a lot of times when I’m teaching these things, which the state of Arkansas has been really good at our financial literacy piece. They now have it mandated that all high school seniors to graduate have to have at least a semester of finance of some sort. So I actually teach a year-long class on it. But they can’t understand something if they haven’t done it, which means that if I have done it, then that’s the best way to teach them. So I usually teach them through some of the things that I’ve gone through, or I have business people from the community come in and tell them, this is how you do this, or these are the types of insurance you’re going to need when you get on your own. I’ve also had them go through and fill out all the tax forms that they should be filling out for starting new jobs. That way, when they get to that job, they’re not having to ask those questions because you feel really out of place when you’re having to ask your new employer what you’re supposed to fill out. And I understand some parents do teach this, but there’s a lot that don’t.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: As Mrs. Burgess mentioned, she commonly brings in community professionals relevant to each section of the class. Through hearing from these experts, students learn from different perspectives, are exposed to career opportunities, and learn more about themselves in the process. Having the opportunity to connect with local professionals offers students an invaluable way to connect with their community.

MRS. BURGESS: So I teach Accounting I, Accounting II, Banking, and Financial Planning. So for my banking classes, I bring in different people from local banks to talk about the different sections of that class. So I’ll bring in a teller to teach them how to count the drawer down. Or I’ll bring in the marketing director. He came in to tell them how they actually market to people. I brought in their CEO from one bank who told them about how they reach out and give back to the community and why that’s important. Insurance, they’ll have a guest speaker from one of our insurance agencies close by. I bring in our payroll clerk for Accounting I because we just started payroll. So she’ll come in in the next week. We did fixed assets just a couple of weeks ago in Accounting II. So I brought in our accountant from our admin building to tell them kind of how the school deals with fixed assets and things like that. So I try to reach out to the community and our chamber and try to see who wants to come in and speak to me. I just had an email this morning that there’s a CPA in town, and she wants to come in and talk to my Accounting II kids to tell them about how she got to where she is. So now I’ve got to contact her and see if I can get her in this next week. So I really feel like the more you can get the community involved, the more the community will get back to the school as well. And I have kids that are employed now because I had the bank come in, and then the bank will email and say, “Hey, I’ve got these positions open. Do you have any kids in the banking class? I had one hired this year at the beginning of the year, and she’s going to be working for them throughout the rest of her high school career. I’ve got one girl, she graduated two years ago, and she started working at the bank, and she’s still at the bank, and she actually built her first house the year after she graduated high school because she had been saving her money.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Building on Mrs. Burgess’s dedication to exposing students to industry experts, Zandrea shares about how she has learned from these classroom guest speakers. For her, there was one speaker who made a lasting impression and prompted her to rethink her perspective on her future goals.

ZANDREA STORY: I would say John. He came in closer to the beginning of the year, and he really made me honestly rethink my whole entire future I’ve planned. He basically went around and asked us what we thought we were going to want to do. And I told him that I wanted to be a nurse. And he looked at me and he laughed and he said, “You’re going to end up in the bank.” And I thought that was so funny. And he really stood out to me because he showed us the benefits of working in the bank, and especially through college. Those benefits of you can study, you have time to be able to do your work when you’re not telling, or if you do video telling, and the money in that too. And that can help you pay off some of your college debts, and all the things. And I think he really stood out to me.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Pre-professional classes like Mrs. Burgess’s help prepare students for the future, provide clarity on career opportunities, and teach them critical everyday skills. She not only teaches on the mechanics of finance, but also on the ethics and responsibility that come with managing financial resources. Beyond finance, Mrs. Burgess also teaches students how to be respectful community members and ensures that they are employable in whatever field they go into.

MRS. BURGESS: So with my classes, my Accounting I and II, it usually gets them introduced into the Principal’s I and II classes at the college level. I’ve had kids email, text, call me, you know, and ask for help sometimes. But then there are those kids who’re like, “Hey, by the way, I changed my major and now I’m going into accounting.” And then I got a phone call the other day that I now have kids in CPA positions. And so, that’s really where I lie with all of the reasons why behind what I do. I had one a couple of years ago, I told you about her. She has her own house. She’s working still at the bank. She’s going to college and doing all those things. I have one currently, she’s only a junior in high school, and she’ll be at the bank through her senior year for sure. And then usually if they stay within the Conway. Greenbrier areas, they can stay with the bank and keep going as long as they want to. I’ve had a couple of kids that I’ve taught them enough of finance that they text me and said, “Hey, I bought my first truck.” And I’m like, “Well, what kind of job do you have?” “I’m in the oil field.” But, they’re making more money than I am. But now they’re learning how to actually spend that money and use it wisely. These are kids who were going to drop out of school. So, if I can prepare them in any way to be not just in a professional career field, but to be good community members in whatever community they’re in. That’s kind of where I’m trying to push them. Their ethics, their manners.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Highlighting Mrs. Burgess’ impact, Zandrea’s mom, Heather, expands more on the growth she’s seen in her daughter. Through building Zandrea’s confidence, nurturing her love for learning, and encouraging her to join Future Business Leaders of America, Mrs. Burgess has been a transformative source of support.

HEATHER STORY: Misty’s teaching has had a lasting impact on Zandrea beyond the classroom by boosting her confidence, improving her problem-solving and communication skills, and sparking a love for learning. With Misty’s support, Zandrea has also developed greater resilience, applying these lessons in all areas of her life. What stood out most was how Misty saw Zandrea’s potential and encouraged her to join FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: In her nomination, Zandrea reflected on Mrs. Burgess’ unwavering commitment to her students and the supportive classroom environment she cultivates. Mrs. Burgess empowers her students to be the best version of themselves by encouraging curiosity, confidence, and resilience. Her approach helps students step outside of their comfort zone, inside and outside of the classroom.

ZANDREA STORY: So, I know Mrs. Burgess, she always messes around with us, and when we have speakers come in, she’s like, “I’m going to make y’all write down questions so that y’all actually pay attention and you actually listen.” And I don’t think she knows this, but it actually helps me. She has all of us ask one question. And I think that’s really important because some people are too scared to ask questions, even if they want to know the answer. And so I think that’s one way that she has made me the best version of myself.

ZANDREA STORY: Instead of just sitting in the back of the classroom and listening, if I actually have a question, I feel comfortable enough to ask it. And she always wants me to try my best. She never lets me say, “Okay, you can just take this grade, whatever, it’s fine, just take the fail.” That’s not what she does. She’s going to pull you out of the class, say, “Okay, you need to sit down, you need to do this assignment, because I want you to have good grades, I want you to succeed.” And so, I feel like she makes me feel like I succeed no matter what I do, even if I’m trying my best and it’s my best, but I don’t get the best grade, it’s okay. And I’m in FBLA as well, and so she’s also helped me with that, too, in being able to communicate with people. Because in my FBLA event, I present and that has helped me with my public speaking a lot as well, and she’s always been able to help with that too.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Expanding on the positive environment she fosters, Mrs. Burgess shares how she supports her students in all aspects of their lives. Whether it’s in response to academic or personal questions, she’s committed to ensuring her students have access to the resources they need. She encourages them to always ask questions, and if she doesn’t have the answers, she will find someone who does. Beyond the classroom, she actively ensures students have different career opportunities through supporting them with internships and job shadowing opportunities.

MRS. BURGESS: No question’s a dumb question. Everybody has a question, and I may know the answer, and I may not, but I will find an answer one way or another. So, they ask questions all the time. There are a lot of times that if they don’t know something. I mean, I just had it a few minutes ago, one kid didn’t know how to find something in Geometry. Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in Geometry. But I pulled another kid over, and that kid was able to teach him how to do it within a matter of minutes. So, making sure they have the right resources. I try to make it an environment where it does feel like family. You can ask me questions. It can be questions about content, or it can be questions about what you’re going to be when you grow up. Me and Zandrea have had that conversation multiple times. I also try to make sure that they have different career opportunities. If there is an internship, why don’t we go for this internship? Zandrea and them had a job shadow day not too long ago, and she wants to be a nurse. And she’s like, “Well, I don’t know what I can do.” Because hospitals and different places don’t let the kids in because of HIPAA. Well, I have a friend who runs her own health and wellness type of place. They do the Energy IVs, the infusions, and stuff like that. So I called her and I said, “Hey, I’ve got a kid that wants to be a nurse. You’ve been a nurse and now you’re a nurse in this aspect. Would you let her job-shadow you?” And she went there and she learned things. 

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Zandrea’s mom, Heather, shares more about the lasting impact of Mrs. Burgess’ teaching. Beyond the skills and knowledge Zandrea has learned, her daughter will continue to build on her foundation of confidence while remembering that she has someone who truly believes in her.

HEATHER STORY: That kind of support stays. It stays with you, shaping how you see yourself and how you treat others for years to come.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: What keeps Mrs. Burgess going are the moments when past students reconnect with her. Whether it’s to celebrate an exciting achievement or ask for help, she loves hearing from graduates as it reminds her that she’s making a life-lasting impact.

MRS. BURGESS: I really think it’s when I hear back from them. When they’ve gotten that job, when they’ve called me because they needed help, it shows me that I’m not just doing it for nothing. I’m doing it for a reason. And day in and day out, is my job glamorous? No.

HANNAH BOWYER-RIVETTE: Thank you so much for listening and joining us today to learn more about Misty Burgess, one of our May Honorees and recipient of the Honored National Teaching Award. To read more about her story, you can visit our website at honored.org or click the link in the episode description. If you have a teacher who you want to recognize and nominate for our teaching award, you can head to honored.org/nominate to recognize a teacher today. If you enjoyed today’s episode, you can follow us and leave us a review on whatever podcast platform you’re listening in from. Thanks again for listening, and make sure to tune in next month to hear the incredible story of our June Honoree.