A cheerleader, an avid book reader, a lover of learning, a student, a mom and an assistant principal. Dr. Amy Burkman is a wonder woman.

Burkman has been a librarian, an English Language Arts teacher, an elementary school principal, a college professor and a program director during her 16 years in education. She is currently getting a master’s degree in legal matters.

“My hobby is learning,” Burkman said. “That’s why I like the job of an assistant principal because I get to be with kids while they learn.”

She is a published author of three books; Differentiated Literacy Strategies for the ESL Learner: K-6, Differentiated Literacy Strategies for the ESL Learner: 7-12 and Passing the PRP TExES Exam for EC-12 Teachers.

“I love books,” Burkman said. “I own over 2,000 books.”

Burkman came to Wylie because her daughter Phoebe, a freshman at Wylie East High School, and her son Aaron, a sixth grader at Harrison Intermediate School, attend WISD schools and she loves the schools so much she wanted to work within the district.

“I would like to stay at East until both of my kids graduate,” Burkman said.

As the AP of students with the last name beginning with the letter R through Z, Burkman says that her students are her children.

“My hopes for this year are to plug in to the Raider Nation culture,” Burkman said. “I have been to many schools and I have never felt more welcomed than I have at East.”

When in junior high school Burkman visited the principal very often, but once she got to high school she realized that would get her nowhere. When in high school, she became a part of the National Honor Society, an all-state clarinet player in the band and an ACT scholar.

“I lettered in band, choir and academics,” Burkman said.

Burkman says “though she be but little, she is fierce,” a quote from Shakespeare that represents her.

“Do not dismiss me because I am a little person in statute,” Burkman said. “I am a little person, I blend in with the kids, but I am a wonder woman.”

She loves the color purple and her favorite food is banana pudding ice cream. Her new found love is coffee, thanks to Mrs. Tammy Ritter who bought her a milky way from Shoemaker and Hardt.

“I like froo-froo coffee,” Burkman said. “Don’t bring me that black coffee. So ewie.”

She is terrified of heights and refuses to ride in glass elevators.

“If I were any taller I wouldn’t stand up,” Burkman said.

On Friday nights she is on the sidelines at the varsity games with the cheerleaders. On Saturdays she is on a soccer field cheering her son on. And on Sundays she is a preschool teacher at her church, First Baptist of Wylie.

“Dr. Burkman is super interactive with us students,” Senior Sydney Wood said. “More than any other principal.”

Things someone may not know about Burkman are that she used to call herself Fat Amy because she lost 65 pounds in the last year, she claims to drink too much Diet Coke and she has migraines so she keeps the lights in her office very dim.

“I could live in a cave,” Burkman said.

Her favorite author is Nora Roberts, and if she could have any car it would be a red convertible Volkswagen Beetle with a white racing stripe.

“Not a newer one,” Burkman said. “I don’t want a ghetto plastic one either.”

She owns 63 pairs of high heels, her favorite singer is PINK and she wants to be like Mr. Williams when she grows up.

“I don’t know when I will grow up,” Burkman said. “Probably not any time soon. I am having too much fun.”