When Dr. Amy Burns steps into Duncan McArthur Hall this summer, she won’t be bringing a long list of sweeping changes. Instead, she’s bringing curiosity, a collaborative spirit, and a well-worn suitcase full of leadership experience, educational insight, and a lifelong passion for teaching. (Also: one husband, one adult daughter, and one opinionated cat.)
“I’m most excited about the possibilities,” Dr. Burns says, “There’s something so invigorating about entering a new context and learning a new way of being.”
Dr. Burns arrives at Queen’s after more than a decade in senior roles at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education, most recently serving as interim Dean. But her roots are deep in the K–12 world, where she taught every grade from kindergarten to Grade 12—yes, really.
“In Alberta, our certification means we’re qualified to teach all grades and all subjects. It’s up to principals to make appropriate hiring decisions,” she laughs. “I’ve always loved the classroom—it’s where I learned what great education really looks like.”
It was this passion for the classroom, and a growing curiosity about leadership in schools, that nudged her toward graduate studies. She initially planned to pursue a Master of Education, but a mentor at the University of Calgary encouraged her to pursue a Master of Arts instead which included a research component that allowed her to continue on with a PhD.
“I wasn’t ready to leave K–12 right away,” she admits. “Even after finishing my doctorate, I stayed in the school system for eight more years.” But eventually the opportunity came to bridge her experience in schools with post-secondary education—and she took it.
Amy spent four years as the Director of Field Experience at the University of Calgary – helping teacher candidates get valuable classroom experience. The position bridged her commitment to K-12 with her interest in pre-service teachers and post-secondary education.
Amy was asked by the Dean at the time, Dr. Dennis Sumara, to become the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, a position she held for 6 years until she became the Acting Dean at the Werklund School of Education.
At Queen’s, she’s keen to dive into the Faculty’s work, learn from its community, and explore how the Faculty of Education can continue to lead in a changing world. That begins, she says, with listening.
Relationships First
Ask Dr. Burns to describe her leadership philosophy, and she doesn’t hesitate: “Highly relational.”
She believes in brainstorming. In listening. In welcoming ideas from all directions—even the unconventional ones. “I like bringing leaders together just to toss ideas around in what I call a brainstorming session. Nothing’s off the table in those early conversations.”
While her approach is deeply collaborative, she also emphasizes the importance of values-based decision-making. “I believe universities are in service to their communities—local, national, and global. Everything we do should connect back to that bigger purpose.”
She looks forward to getting to know our community. “I'd like to better understand what research is being done by this incredible faculty, where our students are going, and how they're getting there. I want to learn more about the communities that we serve. I plan to travel in September to some of the remote ITEP communities.”
One area she’s already excited about is the alumni community. “One of the first things that struck me about Queen’s was how often I heard, ‘Oh, I know someone who went to Queen’s,’ or ‘My kids go there.’ The alumni base is just extraordinary.”
She sees this as a major strength and wants to explore how Queen’s can harness that network not only across Ontario, but nationally and internationally. “What are those existing partnerships we haven’t tapped into yet? How can we use them to amplify the impact of our research, our teaching, and our students?”
Pushing the Edges
As someone who’s worked at the intersection of K–12 and post-secondary education, Dr. Burns is no stranger to the challenges of modern education. She acknowledges that while some things in education remain tried-and-true—like the enduring structure of the school day—there are areas that are ripe for reimagining.
“We need to be both supporters and gentle agitators,” she explains. “It’s our job in post-secondary to push at the edges of what could be—especially in areas like assessment, curriculum design, and inclusion.”
While she has some ideas about her path forward at Queen’s, she’s not in a rush to overhaul. “I want to spend time understanding what’s already happening in the Faculty. There’s amazing work going on, and I want to build on that.”
Advice for the Next Generation
To new teachers and emerging scholars, Dr. Burns offers a simple message: follow your passion—and don’t expect to know everything on Day One.
“Teaching is a career where you’re never done,” she says. “Every year brings new learners, and even within the year, they change. You have to love learning as much as you love teaching.”
As for researchers, she encourages them to think about impact early and often. “Ask yourself: who’s going to benefit from this work? And how can I get it into their hands?”
Family, Cats, and the Balancing Act
Outside of work, Dr. Burns grounds herself with her family. Her daughter is a passionate learner in her own right, and her husband, a long-time K–12 educator, often serves as her go-to sounding board.
And then there’s the cat. “The cat definitely thinks it runs the show,” she laughs.
But between her warmth, wit, and wide-ranging experience, there’s no doubt that Dr. Burns herself is more than ready to take the reins at Queen’s—and she’s bringing the whole community along for the ride.