Kirsten Burns has been selected by Superintendent Theresa Axford to be the assistant principal at Marathon High School for the 2023-2024 school year. Burns has worked for the district in various positions since 2011, most recently as a middle school teacher at Key Largo School. She will fill the position vacated by Ja-Ronika Veldheer, who moved to be an assistant principal at Key West High School.
“Kirsten Burns is a 21st-century educator,” stated Axford. “Her classroom design and rapport with students show that she is up to date with new programs and processes and that her students are happy and engaged. I am delighted that she will bring high-level skills to this administrative position. Her creativity and passion for students will be beneficial in her new role as assistant principal at Marathon High School.”
Burns earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Miami University in Ohio in 2005. Her teaching career began in Ohio as an art teacher. During that time, she completed a master’s degree in arts education from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 2010.
Her career in the Keys began in 2011 as the art teacher at Key West Collegiate School. She worked as a lab manager for a year and in 2013 began teaching at Key Largo School, where she has taught art, photography and career and technical education courses to middle school students.
As an aspiring administrator, she also assisted as the administrator on duty for summer school for three years and completed a master’s in educational leadership in 2023. Her experience, enthusiasm and ability to build relationships that positively affect students make her prepared for her new position, the district said.
“As I embark on a new adventure at Marathon High School, I’m excited to continue to work with middle school students as they prepare for high school, and guide high school students as they prepare for their next steps in life,” Burns said. “As a long time educator and school leader, I know the importance of student, staff, parent and community connections and collaboration. Student success and growth is best supported by a strong, present team of all stakeholders.”
