Latest news with #AmandaBurns
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
From Shake Shack to standout teacher: How one woman found her calling through a Miami nonprofit program
From Shake Shack to standout teacher: How a Miami nonprofit helped her find her calling in the class From Shake Shack to standout teacher: How a Miami nonprofit helped her find her calling in the class From Shake Shack to standout teacher: How a Miami nonprofit helped her find her calling in the class After two decades in the restaurant industry, Amanda Burns wasn't sure where her next chapter would take her, until a leap of faith and a new nonprofit program helped her trade hospitality for a classroom. Burns spent 20 years in the restaurant business. "My degree is in hospitality management. I worked with Shake Shack for six years and other restaurants before that. My career until recently was specifically in restaurant management," Burns said. She decided to leave the business and go into nonprofit work, but felt pulled to work with kids. That's when someone told her about the nonprofit Achieve Miami and its Teacher Accelerator Program or TAP. A leap of faith into education "It's scary to take a leap of faith like that. So, for me, the biggest thing was the support system that I got out of TAP. I came out of that with an education base with colleagues," Burns said. "They helped me develop my own confidence…" Burns is now in her second year of teaching. She has taught math, science and special education classes. She made such a big impression that she was named Rookie Teacher of the Year at Palmetto Middle School. Answering the teacher shortage "We wanted smart people, passionate people, people who cared about what they did but they might not have known exactly how to become teachers," said Leslie Miller Saiontz, who founded Achieve Miami ten years ago. TAP launched in 2023. "The Teacher Accelerator Program really came to being as a response of the major, major teacher crisis that we are feeling across the country." "We found ourselves immersed in so many of our communities and noticing that we have schools where there were so many classrooms without a teacher," Miller Saiontz said. In the past two years, TAP has placed around 200 teachers in local schools. Another 200 are expected to join the teaching ranks in the fall. Trainees take a one-semester undergraduate education course, followed by a summer internship, before landing a full-time teaching job. Making a difference in the classroom Burns said watching her students grasp what she's teaching is why she's in the classroom. "That's why I'm here, every day. I'm here because those moments when you see the 'click,' that's the moment. That's why I love what I do." Send us your story at MiamiProud@
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warrington woman's life turned around thanks to robotic knee replacement
A WARRINGTON woman's life has been turned around thanks to robotic knee replacement surgery. Amanda Burns, 56, suffered from severe osteoarthritis pain in both knees. This was significantly impacting her life and her mobility had become so reduced that she had no option but to seek advice. Amanda said: 'Even everyday activities became difficult. "I struggled to drive any distance and found it challenging to do much beyond managing my full-time office-based job. 'The constant discomfort and limitation on movement affected not just my physical wellbeing, but also my overall lifestyle and independence.' Desperate to find relief and a chance to reclaim her independence, Amanda sought out a specialist who could offer a solution to her ongoing pain. She chose Spire Cheshire Hospital's Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Gareth Stables, who advised she would need a total knee replacement. After discussing all options with Mr Stables, Amanda had decided on the ROSA robotic knee replacement procedure. She said: 'It mattered that I could fully trust the surgeon performing such a major procedure. 'Mr Stables explained the potential benefits, including enhanced precision and alignment through the technology working alongside the surgeon, as well as the possibility of smaller incisions. "These advantages made the robotic approach feel like the right decision for me.' In February, 2025 Amanda was admitted for four days in the inpatient ward and underwent a total knee replacement procedure. She praised the 'professional, reassuring and kind' team there and said this level of care continued following surgery. 'The nursing staff were brilliant in managing my pain medication and ensuring my overall wellbeing, always checking in and ready to help with anything I needed," Amanda said. "The kind ladies who cleaned my room and brought me cups of tea were always friendly and took the time for a welcome chat, which really helped keep spirits high. 'The physiotherapist was also incredibly supportive in helping me to mobilise and build confidence step by step. "A mention also must go to the aftercare physio Matthew Gouldthorpe, who was pivotal in my progression. "A special mention goes to the lovely pharmacist, Danielle, who was so organised and kind while guiding me through the pain management plan for when I went home. "And I can't leave out the amazing catering team—the food was of exceptional quality, with a fantastic range of choices. "Overall, the entire team showed so much care, professionalism, and positivity — it made such a difference to my recovery experience and I'm incredibly grateful to them all.' Following the surgery, an 'incredible' difference has been made to Amanda's daily life. 'I'm currently eight weeks post-operation, and one of the biggest changes is that I'm sleeping really well now— something that had been difficult before," Amanda explained. "Interestingly, I'm now experiencing more discomfort from my other knee, which still has osteoarthritis, compared to the operated one, especially during the night. It really highlights just how successful the surgery has been.' When asked about the difference the surgery has made, Amanda said: 'The most significant benefit so far is that the awful osteoarthritis pain that I lived with for so long is now completely gone in the operated knee. It's incredible to feel that difference, especially when I compare it to the ongoing pain in my other knee. 'My knee feels stronger than before, and the wound has healed really well. 'The progress has given me the confidence to start looking ahead again — I've even planned a holiday later in the summer. "My family have commented that I seem more like my old self, which means a lot. "My experience has given me the confidence in having my other knee replaced. Once I've had this done, I'm really looking forward to putting the pain and mobility limitations behind me and getting back to enjoying life without those constant restrictions."
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
From Shake Shack to standout teacher: How one woman found her calling through a nonprofit program
After two decades in the restaurant industry, Amanda Burns wasn't sure where her next chapter would take her, until a leap of faith and a new nonprofit program helped her trade hospitality for a classroom. Burns spent 20 years in the restaurant business. "My degree is in hospitality management. I worked with Shake Shack for six years and other restaurants before that. My career until recently was specifically in restaurant management," Burns said. She decided to leave the business and go into nonprofit work, but felt pulled to work with kids. That's when someone told her about the nonprofit Achieve Miami and its Teacher Accelerator Program or TAP. A leap of faith into education "It's scary to take a leap of faith like that. So, for me, the biggest thing was the support system that I got out of TAP. I came out of that with an education base with colleagues," Burns said. "They helped me develop my own confidence…" Burns is now in her second year of teaching. She has taught math, science and special education classes. She made such a big impression that she was named Rookie Teacher of the Year at Palmetto Middle School. Answering the teacher shortage "We wanted smart people, passionate people, people who cared about what they did but they might not have known exactly how to become teachers," said Leslie Miller Saiontz, who founded Achieve Miami ten years ago. TAP launched in 2023. "The Teacher Accelerator Program really came to being as a response of the major, major teacher crisis that we are feeling across the country." "We found ourselves immersed in so many of our communities and noticing that we have schools where there were so many classrooms without a teacher," Miller Saiontz said. In the past two years, TAP has placed around 200 teachers in local schools. Another 200 are expected to join the teaching ranks in the fall. Trainees take a one-semester undergraduate education course, followed by a summer internship, before landing a full-time teaching job. Making a difference in the classroom Burns said watching her students grasp what she's teaching is why she's in the classroom. "That's why I'm here, every day. I'm here because those moments when you see the 'click,' that's the moment. That's why I love what I do." Send us your story at MiamiProud@
