Jason Burkhart hasn’t given up on his big break, but for now he’s content to teach drama and television production to Del City High School students.

Burkhart, winner of the Mid-Del Teacher of the Year award, has taught at Del City the last six years.

Armed with a theatre communications degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, Burkhart’s original plan was to pursue acting, which he has done on a limited basis in the Oklahoma City metro area. Earlier this year, he was hired for an Oklahoma Natural Gas commercial, and he’s been involved in Edmond’s Shakespeare in the Park productions.

And, he continues to pay talent agents in Dallas and Oklahoma City just in case the big break does occur. He’s also a dues paying member of the Screen Actors Guild.

“I do as much as I can (acting) when I can when I’m not teaching,” Burkhart said. “The opportunity does present itself occasionally, but I’m dedicated to the program here and my kids. I had a theatre degree and we live in Oklahoma, but you can’t make a living acting in Oklahoma with a wife and two kids.”

With acting on the backburner, Burkhart devotes himself to teaching within Del City’s fine arts department, which he said is a privilege.

“Fine arts at this school are outstanding,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s band, jazz or theatre. I’m pleased to be a part of it.”

So much, in fact, that it would be difficult for him to leave if the big break did come his way.

“I would not think about leaving behind the kids I teach. I’m pretty grounded now. I want to have as much success being a teacher as I would acting,” he said. “I’m actually taking graduate level classes for my administrative certificate.”

No Oscar, but….

Even though the award didn’t come from Hollywood or Broadway, Burkhart said he was “humbled and flattered” when he was selected as Mid-Del’s teacher of the year.

“It was very exciting and I was thrilled,” he said. “It was quite an honor.”

But it wasn’t the first time he has been tapped as a top teacher.

When teaching at Northwest Classen early in his career, Burkhart was nominated by parents for Walmart’s Teacher of the Year honor, which he later won.

Yet, the greatest reward Burkhart has received is the success his drama students have in high school and after graduation.

During the last six years, Del City’s drama department has won five state superintendent awards for arts excellence.

“I’m blessed to have had talented, hard-working actors in the program the last six years,” Burkhart said.

Some former students have shot commercials and a few have participated in college theatre productions. In one case, a former student was accepted into the drama program at the University of Oklahoma, and will soon begin working at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

“I’ve had a wide range of kids, even a few who were good in theatre and music,” Burkhart said.

However, not all Del City drama students are destined for greatness.

“The kids I teach have different skill levels. For many, it’s their first theatre class,” Burkhart said. “ I stress the blue collar work ethic and believe through persistence and hard work you can achieve what you want to. At the very least, students will leave this program with a good speaking voice and confidence so when they go on interviews or enter the workplace they will make a good impression on those doing the hiring.”

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