Lorin A. Burt Award

Dr. Jim Halik, superintendent of the Edinburgh Community School Corporation, is the 2025 recipient of the Lorin A. Burt Award. Dr. Halik has dedicated the past 51 years to education—28 of them as a superintendent, 19 as a principal, and the rest as a teacher. In a career that spans over half a century, he has led Franklin Community Schools and New Palestine Community Schools, served eight times as an interim superintendent, taught college classes for more than 40 years, and coached cross country, swimming and diving, and track. While he once considered retirement in his mid-50s, he now finds fulfillment continuing to serve into his 70s. His approach to leadership is rooted in a few guiding principles that he’s carried with him and shared with others along the way. First and foremost is never lose sight of putting kids first. A close second is serving with humility. Leadership is about working with people, not standing above them, he says. He also emphasizes the importance of hiring for character – skills can be taught, but you “can’t teach nice.” Staying resilient is another lesson he returns to often. Longevity in leadership comes from bouncing back, adapting, and keeping perspective through the challenges, he says. That resilience has been strengthened, he notes, by the mentors who guided him and the younger educators he’s tried to support in turn. Even after decades in administration, Dr. Halik has never stopped teaching. Staying connected to the classroom—in his case as a college instructor and through interim principalships—keeps leaders grounded and centered on the student experience, he adds. Finally, he believes schools must be places of joy. Academic rigor is essential, but so is making learning meaningful, hands-on, and fun.

Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley, superintendent of the Lake Ridge New Tech Schools, is the recipient of the 2024 Lorin A. Burt Award. Dr. Shirley has facilitated a culture of innovation and student success at Lake Ridge, having overseen implementation of a districtwide New Tech Network Model. Calumet New Tech High School boasted a high school graduation rate of 94% in 2024, up from 68% in 2005, the year she was hired as superintendent. More than 90% of Lake Ridge students qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch. Her leadership extends beyond academics. Under her guidance, Lake Ridge has built state-of-the-art athletic facilities and secured a $500,000 partnership with the Hard Rock Casino to fund further improvements. Her commitment to community well-being was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when she partnered with the Indiana State Health Commissioner to host vaccination clinics. She also takes an active role in mentoring aspiring superintendents. “This moment is not just mine; it belongs to the entire Lake Ridge New Tech Schools community,” said Dr. Shirley. “Together, we have built something special—a community where innovation thrives and every voice is heard.” Prior to her appointment as superintendent of Lake Ridge, she worked for the school corporation as principal, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent. “I am constantly inspired by the potential in each of our students, and I am motivated daily by their energy, resilience, and drive to achieve,” said Dr. Shirley. “I look forward to continuing the important work of ensuring that every student, no matter his or her background or circumstances, can achieve greatness.”