Community Spotlight: Patrick Burke

Patrick Burke is our Director of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development and joined the Prestans Online Academy team last year. We recently checked in with him to talk about his background in education, his time with Prestans, and his experience working in online education.

Tell us a little about your background and experience in education. 

I started my teaching career at the Asheville School as part of their Humanities Department. It was an outstanding place to learn how to be a teacher and mentor! I then attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education before moving to Pomfret School. At Pomfret, I worked as a teacher, coach, department chair, and Director of Faculty Mentoring and Development. Pomfret is an outstanding place and we still live in the area as my partner, Kara, works at the Rectory School, and our twins, Zoe and Conor, attend Rectory. 

What pulled you to work at Prestans? 

I was pulled to Prestans by the school’s mission to make access to high-level education available for all students and to our school’s foundational belief that significant learning requires a meaningful student-teacher relationship. Prestans connects outstanding educators and mentors from all over the world to students from all over the world—and that is super neat! 

What do you enjoy most about working at Prestans? 

I love that I work with teachers from all over the world. In one day, I can connect with my academic team members Crystal (who lives in Taiwan) and Raúl (who lives in Mexico), while speaking with our teachers who live in Japan, Bulgaria, Spain, South Africa, and California. It is always amazing to me that our students get to work with such fascinating teachers! 

What have you learned about online education since joining Prestans? 

There are two big things:

1. Our model of synchronous learning allows for students to engage at a high level in both the class sessions and in the structure of their learning. Our teachers do an outstanding job of tailoring our course curriculum and lessons to the interests and passions of their students. Our synchronous sessions allow teachers and students to share their interests and get to know each other—thus making the learning process one that is always relevant and meaningful.
2. The importance of routine and time management. Developing a routine is one of the major factors in determining student success at Prestans. This is an area our teachers, students, and academic team support students in and once students develop a routine that works best for them and their learning styles—they are on the pathway to success at Prestans. These routines all help them find success outside of their academics. 

When not working, what do you like to do for fun? 

I love spending time with my family dancing, listening to music, and playing outside. I am also a runner and enjoy getting out in the mornings or afternoons for a nice run. I also continue to coach soccer and enjoy the opportunity to help students learn more about themselves while playing a game I continue to love.