Chris Burr ’69 English teacher and coach Noble and Greenough School Dedham, Mass. Although Chris Burr is in his 11th year on the faculty at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Mass., he says it feels like he has only been there a couple of years. He teaches English, coaches squash and tennis, and enjoys spending time with his 10 advisees, as well as other students and his faculty colleagues. Following Westminster, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Middlebury College. He later attended Harvard Divinity School, where he earned a Master of Theological Studies.
Was there anyone who inspired your interest in teaching? My father was born on a farm and graduated from Yale in 1940. He was captain of the hockey team and quarterback on the football team. Some of his classmates were Henry Ford and McGeorge Bundy, secretary of state. My dad had no interest in business or other hallowed careers. Deep down, he never left the farm, and all he wanted was a simple life of meaning. Like many fathers from the Greatest Generation, he was a distant figure in my life, but I revered his accomplishments and his humility. I was his youngest, and we never spent much time together. I just watched him, breathed him in and loved trying to live up to all the best attributes I saw in him. The only trip we took together was to his 25th reunion to Yale. I was 15, and it was the only reunion he ever attended. When it was over, we got in the car to return home, and he turned to me and said, “I just want you to know that I didn’t meet a single person who loved their life as much as I love my life.” The imprint of those words never left me.
While my father was my biggest inspiration, the joy I saw in Dave Hovey, the self-effacing, kindness I appreciated in Squibby, the gentle leadership of Pete Keyes, the dedication of Rankine Hinman and Don Werner’s stunning array of talents were also inspirations. I am ever grateful for the gifts I received from all of them.
Have you held other teaching positions during your career? After graduating from Middlebury College, I taught and coached at Westminster, and Noble and Greenough for a total of six years. At Westminster, I taught Third Form and Fourth Form English, and coached football, hockey and tennis. I also helped run a dorm (Milliken) and worked in Admissions. Given all my responsibilities, I remember sprinting across the senior lawn in order to make sure I was never late for an interview. On occasion, Don Werner was kind enough to take me with him to gatherings for prospective parents. I couldn’t figure out why he did this, but it was an encouraging gesture that kindled a new confidence in me. While at Nobles for three years in the late ’70s, I taught English in grades eight, nine, 11 and 12, and coached football, hockey and tennis. I then ventured into the world of business, working at a real estate company in Boston for 10 years and then starting my own real estate company, Burr Associates, that I ran for 11 years. What led you to your graduate work at Harvard Divinity School and have those studies affected you as a teacher in any special way? My curiosity about faith began in my first year as a teacher at Westminster. I began an early morning discipline that included biblical study, exegesis and prayer. I’ve spent most of my adult life pursuing achievement in sports and business but found those quests provided only momentary happiness. While running my real estate business, I decided to apply to Harvard Divinity School, never imagining that I’d get in, but when I was accepted there was no way I was going to miss that opportunity. I try to live out my faith every day, and I fail every day, but my faith continues to encourage a way of life that took me decades to believe and embrace. Do you have a favorite English course you like to teach? At Nobles, I’ve taught 11th grade and ninth grade, but a few years ago, I decided ninth grade was perfect for me. The kids are still kids and not quite so wound
Chris Burr ’69 with students in one of his classes at Noble and Greenough School.
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Westminster Bulletin