Steve Burgess is a new science teacher. This year (2015- 2016) he is teaching High School Biology and Forensic Science.

Q. What were your prior jobs?

A. “I was last working for Construction Career Center (also known as Triple C) here in Saint Louis, at another charter school, and they closed down after last year; I was there only one year. Prior to that I worked in Ferguson- Florissant school district. I’ve taught at McCluer North High School and I retired from there.”

Q. How did you come across GCAA?

A. “I went to California for a year and worked, but I still wanted to teach. A principal friend of mine called me up and said ‘Hey, do you want to come teach?’ and that was at Triple C. I said ‘sure I’ll come’. I came back for one year to teach and the school shut down after that. So, I looked around and I talked to a lot of people. Mr. Mancuso worked at Triple C, so I knew him, and he talked a lot about how great a school this was. I said ‘Man I want to work there!”

Q. Do you have any ideas you would like to incorporate into the school?

A. “I’m just trying to get the feel of how the school operates. This has been a successful school, I wouldn’t want to change anything. I just want to get to know the students and the faculty here, but I’m not out to change the world, or change anything here, it’s a great school.”

Q. What do you hope to take out of this school year?

A. “I would like to know that the students were able to learn something here, you know that I was able to present to them, and that they can take with them in their careers and later on in school. Whatever profession they choose I hope I might have been able to spark an interest in science.”

Q. Maybe ask how this environment is different?

A. “The students are more focused here and they’re wanting to get an education. They have goals and are goal driven. I see them wanting to get a good education. There are a lot of good teachers here giving them that opportunity.”