Faculty Unscripted: Mary Jo Burke

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Mary Burke has taught and coached at MSA for over twenty years.

Mary Jo Burke has been a Maverick for over twenty years. She began her career at MSA as a Latin teacher, World Language Department Chair, and Drama coach. While she still teaches and coaches, Mrs. Burke now oversees our academic curriculum and serves as Director of Faculty. Prior to working at MSA, she earned her MA in Latin from the University of Virginia.

What are your primary roles at MSA?

Director of Faculty & Curriculum; Latin Teacher; Drama director.

What made you decide to work on the Hill?

Previous experience teaching in a boarding school while in graduate school made me realize that I wanted to teach high school and work in an independent school. A good friend of mine from grad school who was working at MSA told me about the opportunity available to teach Latin on the Hill.

Most memorable teaching, coaching, or student-life experience?

Hard to choose! Playing catch in the bullring with a Latin class of two while reviewing nouns and verbs; the amazing rabbit holes my Latin students and I have gone down in class discussions; traveling Europe on several occasions with groups of MSA students; playing bingo and other games on duty.

If you were not an educator, what would you be?

Working in alumni relations at a school or in fundraising for a non-profit.

Favorite aspect of working at a boarding school?

The opportunity to get to know students in a way that would never have been possible in a public school setting; building relationships with students that continue after they leave the Hill.

Most memorable lesson learned from students at MSA?

The power of resilience. Whether it is overcoming academic challenges, injuries, personal tragedies, I am amazed by the resilience our students show. I think this is highlighted in our senior speeches, where I have been awestruck and humbled by some of the challenges that our students have not only faced but come through stronger and more determined.

Favorite place to go or thing to do on MSA’s 1,100-acre campus?

Walking central campus or down to the lake via Jay’s Way with my dog. Watching a baseball game at Farina Field or visiting the animals on the farm are other favorites.