Kim Burge is anxious to return to school later this summer; probably more so than most.
Burge is entering her 20th year at St. Michael Parish School in Wheeling, and she’s worn a number of hats through the years.
Starting as a teacher, Burge was instrumental in revamping and running the school’s expanded science lab. She later added athletics director to her resume and eventually found herself named interim principal.
But when Burge and her students return to the classrooms this fall, that interim tag is gone.
Burge was recently named the principal for SMPS, and she’s ready to get back to work with her St. Michael’s family. It’s a family that is an extension of her own. Burge is also an SMPS parent.
Her daughter just graduated from 8th grade and is off to Wheeling Central. Her son is returning for 7th.
She is uniquely situated having a full breadth of what SMPS means to its students, its staff, and the St. Michael Parish community as a whole.
You’ve had some strong leadership examples in past principals the last decade at St. Michaels. Do you take a little from each as far as their leadership styles and then mix it with your own ideas or try forge your own path?
I have been blessed to work for and with strong leaders. In my transition to principal the last two years, I have had a great deal of guidance and support from my former principal, Sis Richardson. She and I have a lot of the same qualities and ideas in regard to SMPS. She is always an ear or shoulder when I need one. I can remember years ago her telling me that I should be a principal someday. It’s very prophetic now.
You’ve gone from teacher to athletics director, interim principal, and now principal. You’re also an SMPS parent. Does that offer you a unique perspective to lead the school in that you’ve seen it both inside and out from all angles?
This will be my 20th year at St. Mikes. I have worn many hats through the years. Each role gave me a unique look at the happenings in the school. I think being able to relate from many different angles is definitely beneficial. I’ve always tried to see things from each perspective when I decide what is best for the school, kids, teachers, and families.
Given how the last year ended, how important is it in the diocese’s recent announcement that school will return to five days a week of in-person instruction? While schools scrambled and did an admirable job last spring of setting up distance learning on the fly, there’s no substitute for in-person instruction.
There is certainly no substitute for in-person instruction. I think that was made very evident the last few months. While I truly believe that SMPS did an AMAZING job with the hand we were dealt, I also recognize that it was not ideal for anyone. There are great online schools I am sure, but we are not one of them. Our teachers are not trained that way and the parents and kids had no idea what to expect. Being back in the buildings in a SAFE way is huge for the Fall. Not only do kids need the academics, but they need the social and emotional side of interacting with peers as well.
Are there any changes that you would like to have seen implemented at SMPS that you now are capable of doing, and, if so, what are some of your plans?
Right now, my goal is to retain quality teachers, increase their pay, and continue to provide the high academic standards SMPS is known for.
Finally, enrollment seems on the decline with Catholic schools on both sides of the river. Yet SMPS never seems to have a problem in that area. What is it about the school and the faith community that supports it that keeps parents wanting to send their children to St. Michael?
We had a few years where the enrollment declines, but the last three years we have been increasing or holding steady. We have nearly 300 students which is amazing. I think what sets us apart is that we have priests that are dedicated to our school, teachers that live the mission, and families that TRULY value a Catholic education. As long as those components are present, we will continue to succeed.
