Scott Burke is in his 26th year as an administrator, classroom teacher, and an innovative pioneer in contextual/integrated learning. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with others to develop three contextual programs: Geometry in Construction - est. in 2005 AMPED on Algebra 1 – est. in 2014 (
Algebra 1 in
Manufacturing
Processes,
Entrepreneurship, and
Design), and Every year, students enrolled in the Geometry in Construction program build a house for a local family in need while simultaneously mastering rigorous math content. The program has been implemented in over 2,300 schools across 44 states. NBC Nightly News highlighted the program during its June 3, 2018, newscast.
https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/-geometry-in-construction-helps-students-learn-by-building-houses-1247410755701 Using the same foundational components as in the Geometry in Construction program, the team of dedicated teachers, led by Burke, launched a second contextual/integrated program, called AMPED on Algebra 1, in the fall of 2014. The AMPED on Algebra 1 program has been recognized as a superior method for teaching Algebra 1 and is currently offered in over 1,000 schools across 29 states, as well as internationally in Colombia. After moving to the Denver metro area for better job opportunities for his late wife, Burke began working for Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) in the summer of 2018 as the Coordinator of Contextual Learning. Although the video segment mentioned features Burke’s previous place of employment, the details provided in this story remain as relevant today as they were in June 2018. Lastly, both Geometry in Construction and AMPED on Algebra 1 have been showcased on numerous news affiliates nationwide, including NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox News. In October 2021, Burke received the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grand Prize for Teaching Excellence. Shortly after, the administrative team he leads was awarded 4.2 million dollars from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER 3) to further support contextual learning initiatives throughout Jeffco. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, the programs mentioned will be implemented in nine of Jeffco’s 22 high schools. This evidence demonstrates that these programs work and can maximize positive impact and scalability across large, medium, and small school districts. Nationally, these programs continue to succeed because they are mission-driven, grassroots initiatives dedicated to improving the educational experience for all students.
