Tabbitha Burnett is amazing. She has embraced every opportunity and broadened her horizons greater than most dream. She is also one of the handful of articles that required governmental approval and editing of the article before printing.
After graduating from Perryton High School in 2007, she began her higher education at West Texas A&M University. She wanted to teach but wasn’t sure of what she wanted to specialize in.
“Since I graduated high school, I have actively been in school studying, teaching, building my career and traveling the world. I had such a passion for teaching and traveling that I decided to finalize my degree path on English as a Second Language. After graduating college in 2012, I moved to Seoul, South Korea where I taught English in a private academy,” Burnett said.
She used that time to travel throughout South Korea, Japan and China. She commented, “It was a time period of my life that I’m so thankful for as I was able to truly discover all that the world had to offer and all that I am. Traveling abroad allowed me to reach my full potential as well as establish a more authentic self.”
After her work in South Korea, Burnett returned to Texas to start her master of science degree in counseling. During that time, she taught elementary school in Amarillo at Mesa Verde Elementary School.
She starts with a giggle and says, “Though I loved the classroom and my students, I was itching to begin something new. Do you notice a pattern yet? I didn’t know D.C. was where I would land, but I am so thankful it was. Since living in D.C., I have been able to mature as an administrator and really cultivate the expansion of education as a means for shaping the trajectory of people’s lives.”
Burnett now lives in Washington, D.C. Her title is education administrator for the Department of Corrections within the division of College and Career Readiness. She lives in a very quaint studio apartment in northwest Washington D.C. in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Apartment security is provided by her 80-pound basset hound named Luke.
Burnett’s work makes massive improvements in people’s lives. The DOC residents make remarkable transformations through education. As they begin their academic pathways, a sense of confidence is built, and the framework is established. Since she started, the DOC has had D.C. public school graduates, numerous GED graduates, two college graduates and several others continue their post-secondary education upon release.
Another perk of the job is meeting the dignitaries, activists and political figures who visit to observe the unique opportunities for the residents within the D.C. jail. The facility is steadily gathering plaudits for excellence and it is not uncommon to have tours of distinguished guests from all around the world frequently at the facility. Burnett rubs elbows with people such as Nick Cannon, Michael K. Williams, Kim Kardashian, Gina Belafonte, Yandy Smith, Julian Castro, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and many D.C. council members.
Burnett explains the stress of her job by saying, “The most stressful part of the job is the transient population. College programming in prison expanded across the U.S. since Obama reinstated the Second Chance Pell Grant in 2015; however, college in jail is something not as widespread.”
“With that being said, it’s absolutely amazing the success we have within our facility, taking into account how fast our population ebbs and flows. However, my days never seem more stressful than successful,” she continued.
Burnett wears several hats and balances them well. The DOC collaborates with the D.C. public schools and has partnerships with five universities including Georgetown, Howard, American University, University of the District of Columbia and Ashland University. She spends most of her time meeting with residents to recruit as students for each program and assisting them with enrollment and financial aid.
Burnett’s time is mostly spent talking to the residents, getting to know who they are, evaluating where they are academically and what their overall goals are for re-entry. She can be found running from housing unit to housing unit with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing tennis shoes as an accessory to her professional wardrobe on the go nonstop.
When not working, Burnett can be found down the street at her small boxing gym, going to yoga at a nearby studio set inside an old row home, or jetting off to take a hike in the Virginia/ Maryland area with her pup.
Burnett offered a oneword answer to the factors contributing to her success before more prodding. She said, “Grit. I have always been extremely passionate about what I wanted in life and remained persistent on achieving those goals. Also, my ability to adapt in various settings.”
“I’ve always been naturally really good with people of all different backgrounds. I have a gift at connecting with people, so the gift plus belief in educational reform, and simple kindness has taken me really far in life,” she continued.
Burnett is extremely proud to come from a community like Perryton. She appreciates the best, most passionate educators in every grade level. She relayed that her time at PHS was the place she developed the foundation for who she is today. She misses the love and support of a small closeknit community the most.
Burnett’s fondest memories of Perryton revolve around the moments spent playing volleyball in junior and high school. She was so proud to be a Rangerette because it was something instilled in her as a little girl and she couldn’t wait to be one one day. Many of her closest lifelong friends originated from that time.
No Mulligans are considered by Burnett. Instead she says, “I ended up in this overall place that I am today, feeling empowered as a woman, purposeful in my career, and just overall happiness due to the obstacles and series of plot twists life handed me.”
Burnett plans to still be living in the D.C. area in 10 years. She plans to continue in the field of education and obtaining a doctorate degree in education administration.
(If you have suggestions for articles you would like to read on former Perryton residents, please call or text Randy Skaggs at (806) 202- 0187 or email him at rskaggsdvm@hotmail.com.)