Boulder Creek High School
AP World History & Dual Enrollment US History Teacher
Mr. Emmett Burnton’s professional mission is centered on restoring humanism to the classroom and anchoring instruction in the realities of the human condition. Over the last decade at Boulder Creek High School, his pedagogical approach has prioritized authentic student engagement, encouraging critical thinking by integrating philosophy, history, and economics into a classroom grounded in engagement rather than compliance.
A lifelong resident of the Phoenix area, Mr. B’s impact on the educational landscape has earned him state and national recognition. In 2025, he was named the Arizona Teacher of the Year and was subsequently awarded an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University for his contributions to the field of education. Most recently, he was granted the 2026 Travelers Awardee for Teaching Excellence, reflecting his ongoing commitment to elevating classroom leadership and pedagogy.
Mr. Burnton believes professional development shouldn’t be about the type of teacher you want to be. It should be about the person you want to be. If education is about more than a curriculum, then our role as teachers needs to be about more than strategies and procedures.