She may not live in the classroom, but for Mary Burger, children are always present.
“Children have always been a part of my life, and I am fascinated with watching them grow and change daily,” Burger said. “Work for me as a preschool teacher isn’t really work at all. I chose a career that I know I will keep and enjoy doing with each new year that comes.”
Born and raised in Cottonwood, recently promoted to director of the preschool program at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School, Burger said that she loves how attached she is to the Verde Valley. Like her parents before her, she experienced a bit of the urban sprawl of the valley and decided it wasn’t for her.
“My family is the biggest part of my life,” Burger said. “They are the whole reason I ended coming back to Cottonwood. Mom, Dad and four older sisters, three of which have given me 13 nieces and nephews, most whom live here in Cottonwood and attend the elementary school where I teach, allowing me to see them almost every day.
“Last night, I got off work and hurried to the little league ball fields to watch my nephew’s all-star game. It was such an intense game and such a good time to be sitting in the crowd cheering him on that I realized — this is what is fun for me, just spending time surrounded by the people that I love, friends and family.
To read the full story, see the Wednesday, June 24, edition of The Camp Verde Journal.
