Photo by Cory Wyman ’16 – Mr. Burke talks to a student during fifth period, Jan. 13. Mr. Burke teaches Chemistry and is a huge fan of Notre Dame.

Teacher’s Pet: Mr. Kevin Burke

By Chase L. Manson ’16
THE ROUNDUP 

Mr. Hubbell’s question from November “Teacher’s Pet”: If you had to pitch a reality TV series to Fox, what would your pitch be? 

“Pin a tail on a liberal.” It would be a show with the Fox commentators interacting with people who have a brain.

What were some of your previous jobs?

I sold shoes at Macy’s as well as pants. I was a tax collector, bank officer, trust officer and naval officer. I also became a monk for a while.

How did you become a monk? 

It was just one of those things you just do in your life. I went to Mount Angel up in Oregon. I just fell in love with the people. I loved the rituals and prayers. It was a good experience.

Why did you leave? 

It was a wonderful experience, but it was just not who I was. I was not a very complacent and structured person. It just didn’t work out.

Why did you choose chemistry? 

Chemistry was my favorite class in high school. I just liked it for some reason. It was a very good subject for me. In college I actually wanted to switch majors to Economics but the dean of Notre Dame told me there were no more places. But I think chemistry was the better choice in the long run. I just like the beauty of science.

Have you always been a die-hard Nortre Dame fan?  

No actually, believe it or not. As kid I had a sweatshirt from Boston College. I wore it a lot. I loved it.

What changed your mind? 

I did a campus visit at Notre Dame. I spent two hours talking to the admission director about science. That was just a really amazing experience.

Will you ever support USC?

When hell freezes over.

How was your Christmas? 

It was very nice. I saw my children and we went to Chicago. Chicago was really nice, it didn’t snow. I am not the biggest fan of snow.

How does Brophy compare to your previous teaching experience?

It is really all about the community. The spirit here is amazing. There is a respect for all the jobs amongst faculty and students. Mrs. Sandra Dennard says it the best “It’s all about the boys.” The support here is just incredible.

Would you like to propose question for the next Teacher’s Pet?

Why aren’t we teaching the Palmer method of writing anymore?

Editor’s note: See next Teacher’s Pet in the next edition for the answer.