Eileen Burke

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand!

Dr. Eileen Burke was my mentor at TSC/TCNJ.

Dr. Eileen Burke was a very beloved colleague, mentor, and friend with whom I have shared the joys of Children's Literature for many years. She will never be forgotten by her many friends and the students who were fortunate enough to benefit from her vast professional knowledge and infinite wisdom.
"God's finger touched her, and 'she' slept." ("In Memoriam A.H.H." - Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Since my fifth grade (1955), Miss Eileen Burke was the most engaging and beautiful teacher I ever had. After re-kindling our relationship a number of years ago, annually I visited her and talked via telephone with her every major holiday. If you listen closely, you can hear her distinctive voice- soft, curious about you, encouraging, and spiritually supportive. While going through a number of physical hardships, she was always hopeful. Her poetry was enlightening and full of Godly joy. I am...

Fifth grade, School 1, Woodbridge, 1955. Miss Burke opened our eyes to the world and to what education could be. She was the single most important teacher I ever had, the benchmark of greatness. Some of our classmates have stayed in touch over the years and the mention of Miss Burke remained a reason to rejoice. We still “stop and look it up,” so she continues to teach us. What a legacy she left in our lives! Would we have done okay without that experience? Sure. Maybe. Perhaps. But with...