Eugene Burns is a Hero in Teaching

MILFORD — Eugene Burns of Milford recently received the Heroes in Teaching Award at Warwick Valley High School in Warwick, N.Y.

Teachers who receive this award are nominated by a graduating senior. A selection committee chooses among the honorees. The winner gets a $500 check.

Burns teaches Advanced Placement History and Advanced Placement Government. In his nomination, high school senior Joseph Vandenbos wrote: "Mr. Burns has a very patient and efficient style of teaching which allows students to learn and absorb the information in a way which I know would not be possible....This is very important because AP classes require in-depth understanding."

Joe said Burns teaches his students to study effectively using college-level texts while instilling in them the ability to understand and analyze information, which helps students be more successful in their other classes. He said he believes Burns is "probably one of the best teachers in all of New York State!"

Although history is a difficult subject, Joe wrote, in Burns’ class the subject was more than names and dates but events in a long, interrelated chain. Burns helps his students understand the impact of those historical events on our lives today, he said.

“Mr. Burns taught me how to study effectively using a college level textbook, which has greatly aided me in my other classes and will definitely help me in college," he wrote.

Joe wanted to nominate Burns because he was impressed with the way he went the extra mile and gave up his personal time to make sure each student was successful in his class. He was often available before school to help any struggling students, and also to help students who wanted extra test prep to excel.

The Heroes in Teaching Award provides a way for the Warwick district to recognize the unwavering commitment of an outstanding teacher. Each year, graduating seniors are given the opportunity to nominate their teachers to receive the honor.