Ellie Burris

Ellie Burris has squeezed several life-changing events into the last six months. Not only did she accept a position as a math teacher at Jasper County High School, but she also got married and moved across the state. Her move to Jasper County wasn’t just any relocation; it represents a homecoming. As Ellie celebrates her ten-year high school reunion, she returns to the same school from which she graduated. Now, she interacts with many of her former teachers as colleagues, an experience she describes as equal parts weird and cool.

She laughs and elaborates, “Being a teacher here is very different. It’s not the same as attending high school here, that’s for sure. I’m glad I gained experience elsewhere before coming back because it allowed me to find my footing. Now, I know what to do. I’m familiar with many of these students, especially their parents. It’s nice to have that connection.”

After graduating from high school in 2013, Ellie pursued education at Eastern Illinois University. She started college as a sophomore by maximizing the dual-credit course opportunities that Jasper County offered. Always a top student, Ellie was academically and career-focused from her high school days. Looking back, she acknowledges that it’s always possible to find time for fun alongside academic pursuits. Ellie’s diligent work in high school enabled her to adopt a less demanding college course load and graduate a semester early. Finishing up in December, she doubted that any school would hire a newly graduated teacher mid-year, but she attended a job fair on a whim.

At the fair, she connected with staff from a high school near Danville, in the small town of Georgetown. This meeting led to an interview, which she approached with low expectations, using it as practice for future opportunities. “Of course, they offered me the job,” Ellie recalls. “Suddenly, I found myself moving two hours away, to a place where I knew no one. I taught in Georgetown for seven years.”

Ellie is now adapting to a new math instruction approach at Jasper County. The curriculum integrates algebra and geometry concepts over three years, also incorporating elements of probability and statistics. This method aims to allow students to continuously apply mathematical skills in a way that fosters long-term retention and critical thinking. This teaching style aligns with Ellie’s educational philosophy, which emphasizes the practical applications of mathematics.

“I like to incorporate a lot of hands-on activities and games to make learning enjoyable,” Ellie says. “I strive to make content relevant, highlighting how math applies in everyday life.” Reflecting on her journey from a Jasper County student to an educator, she adds, “Not everyone has to be a ‘math person,’ but with the right approach, you can at least appreciate it and have fun with it.”