Gems of Appreciation

Mikal-Ann "Mikey" Milam is the kind of educator who lifts everyone around her. As a younger teacher shared, she is a constant source of encouragement, always ready with support on the tough days and practical strategies that make a difference. Her willingness to lend a hand and offer steady guidance has made her a trusted colleague and someone others regularly turn to.

Mikey approaches each day with patience, professionalism, and positivity. On top of her work as the Yearbook and English Resource teacher, she also serves as a case manager, SpEd department head, and an active member of the Leader In Me Lighthouse team.

Her leadership with the yearbook has been especially impactful—she has transformed it into something fresh, meaningful, and truly special at Burnet. Mikey’s dedication, creativity, and ability to motivate both students and staff make her an invaluable asset to the campus. She does it all with grace, calm confidence, and, as her colleagues note, makes it look effortless.

We are grateful for everything she brings to Burnet High School. Congratulations to Mikey, our Gem of the Month!

Ms. Roberts shines as both an educator and a leader. She puts care into preparing her classes, always bringing a positive attitude that makes her classroom a place where students want to be. As Science Department Head, she has helped the department run smoothly, kept discipline issues to a minimum, and supported both new and veteran teachers with encouragement and guidance. Her kindness, integrity, and willingness to mentor others make her a trusted colleague and a role model for students. We are grateful for the leadership and dedication Ms. Roberts brings to our school community every day.

​BHS is proud to recognize Aidan Callahan as our March Gem! Aiden goes above and beyond in every aspect of his job. He is very knowledgeable and is a great resource when you have questions. He is always on top of his game even in hard situations that arrive daily in his positions. He has outstanding follow through in everyday scenarios that sometimes go unfinished in our business. Aidan has high expectations for himself and for his departments and is quick to provide support when needed. If Aidan says that he will do something, you can count on that something being done. Aidan has been coordinating testing in an efficient manner, paying attention to details and providing information as needed.

BHS is proud to present Dani Suarez with a Gem of Appreciation! Dani is coaching soccer, sponsoring student council, and keeping up with all the Algebra 1 tasks. She is very patient with her students and works on building relationships. She is a great teammate. Reaching back to September and October when we had staffing changes, she was willing to give up her Geometry classes and focus on Algebra, a state tested subject. She is an integral part of the Algebra 1 team, taking care of many items on the Algebra "to-do" lists. Dani is a joy, a true gem. The entire student body is blessed by her student council leadership team. Kim Myhre and the soccer athletes are blessed by her passion. Katie Hewitt and Dawn Shanks and the Algebra 1 students are blessed by her knowledge, patience, and computer skills!

Mr. Lucky is an outstanding teacher. He goes above and beyond every day for his students and helps them achieve their goals. He shows that he cares by meeting each student where they are and he leads the Life Skills team with grace. Mr. Lucky has served for nearly 32 years as a Special Education Behavior Specialist and Life Skills teacher. He is a calming force for his students and staff and has an infectious demeanor that models love and kindness. Mr. Lucky provides innovative and exciting experiences for his students. BHS is proud to honor him with the Gem of Appreciation.

BHS is proud to present Sheridan Gill with a Gem of Appreciation!!! Sheridan continuously demonstrates the qualities of a highly effective teacher. Her classroom instructional strategies engage students and student outcomes benefit. Sheridan is instrumental in the BHS LeaderinMe implementation as she serves on the Lighthouse Team and helps to lead the academic action team. She has prepared for and facilitated several teacher professional development sessions over the past years. Due to her hard work, English scores are on the rise at BHS.

Sheridan's coworkers have this to say about her: "Sheridan comes up with the best ideas for us to teach. She makes all sorts of tools for us to use in the​ classroom. The last 2 years being on her team I have become a better​ teacher getting to learn from her and using her tools. She shows SPIRT​ *​ PRIDE * & HONOR daily in our department! Everyone needs a Sheridan Gill in​ their life, and one they get to learn from daily!​"

KK is an amazing educator. She is selfless, humble, and an example of what every teacher should strive to be. Her integrity and passion are beyond measure, resulting in critical thinkers, common sense users, and a high percentage of young adults who are capable of attaining success when released into the world. Her creative lesson plans for her seniors and dual credit kids are only the tip of a magnificent iceberg. It is so evident how much her students love and respect her. We are proud to have KK at Burnet High School!

BHS is pleased to announce that our January Gem of Appreciation goes to Jeannette Gegogeine! Jeannette has gone above and beyond this year to support her department by collaboratively creating lesson plans and activities for multiple teachers and classes. She exemplifies the 7 Habits and leads by example. If you need something or help, she is right there. She is an outstanding Department Head and goes well beyond the scope and sequence of what needs to be done. We are so thankful to have her as a teacher at Burnet High School!

We are proud to present a Gem of Appreciation to Dawn Shanks! Dawn is such a selfless person to work with. She is constantly asking others how she can help them or if there is anything she can take off their plate. She is passionate about her students and our school. She can be found in her classroom every day after school and during lunch tutoring kids. She has even taken students from other classes and provided tutorials for them on days that they cannot stay late. She believes strongly that all students can learn and she works tirelessly to ensure that they leave her classroom at the end of the year believing that too. She serves in capacities that others may not want to and she gives of her time generously. She does these things because she believes in our school and the kids that walk through the doors every day. Burnet High School is very lucky to have her. She makes us all better educators and people - a true model of Spirit, Pride, and Honor.

BHS is proud to recognize Brandon Evans with the Gem of Appreciation award. Mr. Evan's kind heart and caring attitude are noticed every day. He is always one of the first to volunteer and last to leave. His work ethic and passion for student achievement is outstanding. The success they receive is equally impressive. His students continue to receive top accolades in welding certification exams, contests, and stock shows. The example of leadership he sets is evident in his students. Mr. Evans is a positive influence on our students' achievement, their future, and our culture, and BHS would not be the same without him. Congratulations Mr. Evans!