Launch Teacher Profile: Matt Burke

“Students want to learn this way, and I want to engage students in a way that they prefer to learn.”—Matt Burke

Matt Burke, who teaches for Launch and works as a Graduation Advisor, shares his passion for connecting with students.
After graduating from Southwest Baptist University, Matt Burke moved from a quiet corner of southwest Missouri to the hustling, bustling borough of Brooklyn. “I spent two years as a substitute teacher there,” Burke says. “I learned a lot about teaching and a lot about life.” It was this first-hand NYC experience that inspired him to pursue a career in education. “It became about wanting to be around students and wanting to be a mentor,” Burke says.
     Fast forward 10 years, and Burke still has the same desires. In his eyes, one of his most important responsibilities as a Launch instructor is getting to know his students. “I always say, ‘Ask the extra question,’” Burke says. “I also try to make my videos natural, so my students know that I’m a real person.” Once the students feel comfortable communicating with Mr. Burke, he’s happy to provide the instruction and feedback for them to be successful—all the more-traditional teacher aspects that come with his role.  “I enjoy the technology aspect of it all,” Burke says. “Students want to learn this way, and I want to engage students in a way that they prefer to learn.”