Janet Burruss
Janet Burruss dedicated more than 30 years to education and youth mentorship in Wilmington, Delaware. Her path into education began unexpectedly as a single parent looking for work while also organizing neighborhood girls, including her own daughters and niece, into what became the Eastside Stepper Drill Team Corporation. What started on the front steps of her home grew into a thriving organization with more than 150 members and volunteers over 15 years. Through the drill team, Janet taught young people discipline, respect, sportsmanship, and the importance of maintaining strong grades, while also opening doors to travel and new experiences.
Janet began her career with the Red Clay Consolidated School District in 1995 after a principal recognized her natural ability to connect with youth and hired her on the spot. She spent much of her career working with middle and high school students, particularly in in-school suspension and timeout settings, where she built strong relationships with students who needed extra guidance and support. Janet’s hands-on experience with students helped shape her compassionate, patient approach and strengthened her belief that young people need structure, understanding, and someone who genuinely cares about their future.
In addition to her school-year work, Janet spent summers beginning in 2010 supporting students with complex medical needs through the Meadowood program, working with children who used wheelchairs, feeding tubes, and communication devices. She retired after more than 30 years of service from AI DuPont High School, leaving behind a legacy of care, encouragement, and commitment to young people. Janet hopes to be remembered as someone who loved people deeply and made a positive difference in the lives of the students and families she served.
• Certified in Data Entry
• Computer Communications Institute
• Lincoln University
• Habitat for Humanity Homeowner of the Year
• The East Side Steppers Drill Team
• The Heirs of Legacy
• Habitat for Humanity
• Resurrection Center
What do you attribute your success to?
I think the Eastside Steppers Drill Team sticks out to me the most because it was community volunteered, and I did that for 15 years. I loved it so much because I got to see kids outside of educational stuff, where they were allowed to come and be themselves, and be happy, and participate in something that was positive. Grades for me was a must, and they knew it. I just had my whole heart into that because I got to meet so many different kids, and I didn't care about your ethnicity or participation, but I have just met some astounding people over my time. I've looked at some of my steppers and drummers that are now homeowners, they're married, we have lawyers, we have teachers. The experience is just one I will never forget because I just love being around them and I love watching them grow.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering education to develop patience and empathy, genuinely care about children, and be willing to invest the time and attention needed to help them grow while still maintaining high standards.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My family are my everything because you can't measure that support any kind of way it goes. It's so important to care about kids, because knowing what I know, and seeing what I've seen, and witnessed what I have witnessed, even with the steppers, you never know what a child comes to you carrying, and you never know where they come from, and their background, and what the burdens are. You have to learn to really learn to have major patience and a lot of empathy. You gotta dig deep and wanna be around it for that reason.