Bloomingdale High Welcomes New Principal

For many students at Bloomingdale High School, the school's new principal is an old friend.

A large portion of the high school's students attended Burns Middle School where newly named Bloomingdale Principal Susan Burkett served as principal since 2009.

The Hillsborough County School Board named Burkett principal of the high school at 1700 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, on Feb. 5. She will assume her new duties Feb. 18.

Burkett replaces Mark West, who was appointed principal of Armwood High School in Seffner in December.

She is the fourth principal to serve at the helm of the 25-year-old high school, following in the footsteps of West, who was principal of the school for seven years, B.J. Stelter and the school's founding principal, Charley Harris.

Born and raised in New York City, Burkett obtained her teaching degree at the University of South Florida and then worked with behaviorally challenged students before obtaining her master's degree in educational leadership.

She began her career with the Hillsborough County School District in 1992, teaching at Plant City High and Durant high schools. She was appointed assistant principal of student affairs at Riverview High School in 2002 and then headed to Bloomingdale High School in 2005 to serve as assistant principal of curriculum for four years before accepting the top job at Burns Middle School on Bryan Road in 2009.

In all capacities as an educator, Burkett said her priority is providing for the needs of her students. Even in her various roles as an administrator, Burkett never strays far from the classroom, seeking every opportunity available to interact with students.

Outside of work, Burkett is a busy mother of two and an active member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Brandon.