High quality rubies are known for being a rare find. That can also be said about Ruby Burton who’s a one-of-a-kind jewel.
There’s no doubt that Ruby was born to teach. She loved school as a child and even played school with her friends in the summers.
During middle school, Ruby discovered her love for math in Mr. Al Henry’s eighth grade algebra class.
“He opened my eyes to how I could do math,” Ruby said.
Ninth grade math was a little shaky, but she quickly learned the ropes and excelled in the subject for the remainder of her high school career.
“It made me really want to become a teacher after I realized my love for math,” Ruby said.
The then aspiring teacher went on to graduate from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Science in Technology. She also received her teacher certification and later attended Lincoln Memorial University where she received her Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction.
Ruby started her career as a ninth and 10th grade math teacher at East Coweta High School. One of her struggles during that year was communicating to large groups. With time and several conferences, she overcame that shortcoming.
“Once I got to know my students, the math just came,” Ruby said.
Conferences were instrumental because she connected with other teachers who helped her with strategies for classroom management, conflict resolution and parent-teacher relationships.Those lessons followed her to Winston Dowdell Academy and Newnan High School, where she has taught ninth, 11th and 12th grade algebra for 12 years.
Along with being a teacher, she’s a full-time mother to two daughters, college sophomore Nya and high school sophomore Mikayla. Ruby saw having similar schedules with her girls as a perk early on in her career. She also made it a mission to have work-life balance, which she learned as a student teacher while in college.
“When I had kids, I realized my time at home was for them,” Ruby said. “I did my work at work and my children were my priority once I got home.”
On the other hand, the disadvantage of being a teacher was not having the opportunity to participate in the Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.), randomly stop in to eat lunch or drop off snacks. She balanced that loss with making sure her daughters joined outside activities including Girl Scouts, church activities, gymnastics, band and cheerleading.
“I made sure I showed up for them with everything else,” Ruby said. “It’s not easy, but all the time and energy is definitely worth it.”
That love and support along with communication has been the key to their close bond. Her daughters appreciate her hard work as a single mother.
“They know I’m here anytime they need me,” Ruby said.
The mother of two is also a caregiver for her mother who has dementia. Ruby and her sisters take turns preparing meals and staying with her to ensure she has everything she needs.
Although she juggles a lot, Ruby’s faith sustains her through it all. She’s not one to “fake it until she makes it.” She thrives from being her best, remembering God has a plan for her and knowing she’s enough.
“I get my strength from knowing I’m a child of God even though I’m gracefully broken.”
Caleb Britt 