ORLANDO, Fla. — A+ Teacher John Burke has a passion for showing his students the best ways to capture a moment in time. The Boone High School creative photography teacher believes that cultivating creativity is key to building confidence.

Burke’s students are captivated in his classroom as they get hands on instruction in photography.

“I like them to get to know each and every member of the class, (to) work with each and every member of the class,” he said. “So they get some diverse interactions and just get used to working with other students and I find in the long run that definitely helps with their creativity.”

He remembers his own time in school and what he enjoyed the most.

“I always loved hands-on activities and participating in projects and so that’s the kind of atmosphere that I try to do in my class,” he said.

The passion and dedication his students put into their projects are proudly displayed in class. Burke says he thinks about how this can translate into something outside the classroom, so maybe they take yearbook photos of a high school game or do family portraits.

Burke’s personable personality is a perfect fit for the classroom. He’s been at it for more than two decades and says his students are always his main focus.

“You know, after 28 years, I really think there’s no better feeling for a teacher than to see a student succeed outside the classroom and come back and attribute some of that success to you,” Burke said. “The main thing I want them to take away from the class is their ability to believe in themselves creatively, so they can look at situations and think about them in new and creative ways and then also just use that to help tell their own narrative.”

Burke said overall it’s a confidence builder for the students to believe in themselves.