We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Burke. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Hi Laura, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Growing up, I wrestled with shyness and self-doubt, especially in high school. Eventually needing to choose a career path, teaching seemed safe, a path carved by my mom’s career. However my Dad always encouraged me to take more risks, like he had, to step outside my comfort zone to see what was possible for myself.
By my 30s, I found myself having to take risks personally – divorce, financial issues, even a brush with death due to meningitis—it was a lot. But with family and friends by my side, I pushed through, earning my Master’s Degree and subsequent educational leadership licenses over the next several years. Starting over as adult, while raising kids, and working full time tests even the best of us. But doing so was my proof that taking risks pay off.
As I stepped into more leadership roles at work though, doubt nagged at me. Who was I to lead? But with each challenge, I found my passion burning brighter. Then, accepting a position to create Colorado’s first K-8 public magnet school for entrepreneurship was by far the riskiest professional move I ever made, but it became my mission, fueled by a mix of being simultaneously excited and terrified, which I often say is how I know whatever I am doing is worth it!
Through all the ups and downs, I’ve learned one thing: taking risks unlocks real confidence. Today, I believe in chasing passions, no matter how uncertain the path may seem. It’s the journey of courage that transforms us into who we’re meant to be.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the Founding Principal of the Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy, it my job to continue growing our school and the success of our students, while staying true to why we started – to provide unique learning experiences to our students by instilling an entrepreneurial skill set in them- a skillset they can take with them throughout their lives no matter what they choose to do and what difference they choose to make.
Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy, is more than just a school; it’s a dynamic learning environment fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We believe in equipping students with entrepreneurial skills from a young age through hands-on experiences like hosting pop-up shops, where they learn marketing, sales, and customer service. Our commitment to innovation extends to embracing technology like 3D printers, empowering students to bring their ideas to life.
Embracing risk-taking is one of our core values, encouraging both staff and students to step outside their comfort zones. We prioritize staff well-being by providing resources like a rejuvenation room for relaxation and support their pursuits outside the classroom, ultimately enriching the learning experience for our students.
In collaboration with an entrepreneur, author, and former educator, we launched the Learning Frequency learning bots project, revolutionizing how students engage with their learning process. These bots offer personalized insights into learning preferences, empowering students to make informed decisions and allowing teachers to tailor lesson plans effectively.
Our partnerships with entrepreneurs provide students with real-world insights and inspiration, while a documentary about our innovative approach to education showcases our unique initiatives. Additionally, a collaboration with a professional artist this Spring aims to spread a positive message and raise funds for our school.
As a small public school, we rely on community support to continue offering unique learning experiences. Donations of any amount are welcome any time through our website, cbea.aurora.k12.org, contributing to our mission of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
At the Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy, we’re dedicated to providing students with the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed in an ever-changing world, shaping future leaders who will drive positive change.
It’s no wonder to anyone that knows me that this school is a culmination of a lifetime of experiences I’ve had, and decisions I’ve made, all aligning to the fundamental belief that taking risks and pursuing passion is what makes life worth living.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In my journey, three qualities stood out: fierce optimism, stubborn resilience, and relentless pursuit of passion.
Optimism is crucial—it’s about believing in positive outcomes despite challenges. Practice gratitude, surround yourself with positive influences, and visualize success to maintain hopefulness.
Resilience is key to bouncing back from setbacks. Reframe failures as learning opportunities, prioritize self-care, and seek support from mentors and a supportive community.
Passion is the driving force behind action. Explore your interests, align them with a larger purpose, and continuously nurture your passion through new experiences and challenges.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely! I am always seeking collaboration and partnerships to enrich the experiences and opportunities available to our students. Whether it’s supporting after-school clubs and field trips, funding a special project or supplies that we need, providing professional development for our staff, or bringing in diverse guest speakers and mentors to inspire our students, I recognize the importance of community involvement in fostering a dynamic learning environment.
I welcome individuals and organizations who share a passion for empowering young minds to reach their full potential. Whether you’re interested in contributing financially, offering expertise, or becoming a mentor to our students, I believe that together we can create incredible opportunities for growth and exploration.
If you’re reading this and would like to collaborate, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can connect with me via our website at cbea.aurorak12.org or email me directly at lmburke@aurorak12.org. I look forward to building meaningful partnerships that will make a lasting impact on the lives of our students!
Contact Info:
- Website: cbea.aurorak12.org
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmburke1/
Image Credits
Mark Cooper, APS District Photographer, Sabrina Sandberg at Happy Hearts Photography
