History of the
Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2011
Updated in 2024
Published in 2011
Updated in 2024
Author's Note
It was a great honor to be a part of the 2011 school naming process, which aimed to pay tribute to the contributions made by Kenneth C. Burdett to the Utah School for the Deaf. Trena Roueche, former Associate Superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf, deserves immense appreciation for her meticulous work conducting the school name through the ballot and preparing for the ceremony event in honor of Kenneth C. Burdett. I would also like to thank Michelle Tanner, then teacher of the Jean Massiue School of the Deaf, for her invaluable role in referring Trena to me for name recommendations.
My personal connection with Kenneth, whom I was fortunate enough to meet once at my wedding reception in 1999, made this tribute even more bittersweet. The stories shared by my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth Burdett, and Ron Burdett, Kenneth Burdett's son and my college instructor, deeply touched me. Meeting Kenneth before his passing in 2000 was a profound moment that eventually led to the school naming him, a gesture that reflects his long service and contributions to the Utah School for the Deaf as a student and staff member. We will always remember and cherish Kenneth C. Burdett's significant contributions to the Utah School for the Deaf, leaving behind a legacy for us to remember him by.
Thank you!
Jodi Becker Kinner
My personal connection with Kenneth, whom I was fortunate enough to meet once at my wedding reception in 1999, made this tribute even more bittersweet. The stories shared by my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth Burdett, and Ron Burdett, Kenneth Burdett's son and my college instructor, deeply touched me. Meeting Kenneth before his passing in 2000 was a profound moment that eventually led to the school naming him, a gesture that reflects his long service and contributions to the Utah School for the Deaf as a student and staff member. We will always remember and cherish Kenneth C. Burdett's significant contributions to the Utah School for the Deaf, leaving behind a legacy for us to remember him by.
Thank you!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Kenneth C. Burdett
History of School Naming
On August 23, 2011, the ASL/English bilingual program at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Ogden, Utah, was officially named after Kenneth C. Burdett, also known as "KB." The program was named in his honor as a tribute to his longstanding connection with the Utah School for the Deaf.
The Associate Superintendent, Trena Roueche, of the Utah School for the Deaf, had previously decided that the USD North Division program should have a special name. She and others in the program believed that using the name of a Deaf person would help students build a connection to Deaf culture and community.
Michelle Tanner, a teacher at the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, referred Trena to me for help in researching the names of prominent Deaf Utahns. I was thrilled to hear about the prospect of naming the USD North Division after a Deaf individual, and I shared this with my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth's. He suggested the name Kenneth C. Burdett, to which I agreed! I quickly recommended that Trena put this name on the ballot.
We nominated three Deaf individuals from the local community—Kenneth C. Burdett, Henry C. White, and Elizabeth Wood—and presented them to the USD community for a vote to continue the naming process. The USD administration, parents, and current and former students selected these individuals based on their significant contributions to the education of Deaf students in Utah. After counting all the votes, Kenneth C. Burdett received the most votes.
The Associate Superintendent, Trena Roueche, of the Utah School for the Deaf, had previously decided that the USD North Division program should have a special name. She and others in the program believed that using the name of a Deaf person would help students build a connection to Deaf culture and community.
Michelle Tanner, a teacher at the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, referred Trena to me for help in researching the names of prominent Deaf Utahns. I was thrilled to hear about the prospect of naming the USD North Division after a Deaf individual, and I shared this with my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth's. He suggested the name Kenneth C. Burdett, to which I agreed! I quickly recommended that Trena put this name on the ballot.
We nominated three Deaf individuals from the local community—Kenneth C. Burdett, Henry C. White, and Elizabeth Wood—and presented them to the USD community for a vote to continue the naming process. The USD administration, parents, and current and former students selected these individuals based on their significant contributions to the education of Deaf students in Utah. After counting all the votes, Kenneth C. Burdett received the most votes.
Kenneth C. Burdett - 1929 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
Kenneth L. Kinner
Kenneth L. Kinner, a graduate of USD in 1954 and a former student of Kenneth C. Burdett, is being recognized for making a thoughtful recommendation. Kenneth C. Burdett, who was Kenneth Kinner's favorite teacher, devoted his entire career to the Utah School for the Deaf from 1934 to 1974.
Kenneth Burdett spent most of his life, about fifty-two years, at the Utah School for the Deaf. During this time, he served as a student, boys' supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator.
On September 29, 2011, a Plaque Hanging Ceremony was held at the Utah School for the Deaf to honor Kenneth C. Burdett's legacy. At the ceremony, Ronald and JoAnn, Kenneth's two children, shared fond memories of their father, and Ronald's wife, Joyanne, expressed the same sentiment. A plaque and a portrait of Kenneth are now displayed in the hallway of the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf to ensure that his name will remain in the memory of many (Kinner, UAD Bulletin, December 2011).
Kenneth Burdett spent most of his life, about fifty-two years, at the Utah School for the Deaf. During this time, he served as a student, boys' supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator.
On September 29, 2011, a Plaque Hanging Ceremony was held at the Utah School for the Deaf to honor Kenneth C. Burdett's legacy. At the ceremony, Ronald and JoAnn, Kenneth's two children, shared fond memories of their father, and Ronald's wife, Joyanne, expressed the same sentiment. A plaque and a portrait of Kenneth are now displayed in the hallway of the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf to ensure that his name will remain in the memory of many (Kinner, UAD Bulletin, December 2011).
Kenneth's Devotion to the
Utah School for the Deaf Throughout His Life
Utah School for the Deaf Throughout His Life
Kenneth, Gallaudet College, 1929-1934.
During the 25th Biennial Convention of the Utah Association for the Deaf, Dr. Jay J. Campbell, who served as the Deputy Superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education and was known for his support of the Utah Deaf community, delivered the keynote address titled "Humanizing Education" in 1973. Kenneth and his former students were present at the event and were grateful for Dr. Campbell's support towards their cause. Throughout his career, Kenneth has always been committed to and demonstrated the philosophy of humanizing education (UAD Bulletin, June 1973; Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, 2011).
Kenneth devoted his career to the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) with selflessness and passion. He served in various roles at the school for over fifty-two years, starting as a student and later working as a Boy's Supervisor, Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Teacher, Printing Instructor, and Curriculum Coordinator. He was a member of several organizations, including the Utah Association for the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf, and the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974).
Throughout his long and successful career, Kenneth will be remembered for his inspiring leadership, unwavering support for student athletics, and profound affection for his students. He was an exceptional teacher and coach who inspired all his students and colleagues (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974; Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2006).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Valerie G. Kinney recognized and acknowledged these qualities, describing Kenneth as a brilliant teacher and coach. His contributions to USD will always be remembered and celebrated by those whose lives he touched (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson & Valerie G. Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
Throughout his long and successful career, Kenneth will be remembered for his inspiring leadership, unwavering support for student athletics, and profound affection for his students. He was an exceptional teacher and coach who inspired all his students and colleagues (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974; Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2006).
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Valerie G. Kinney recognized and acknowledged these qualities, describing Kenneth as a brilliant teacher and coach. His contributions to USD will always be remembered and celebrated by those whose lives he touched (Dr. Robert G. Sanderson & Valerie G. Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
Kenneth C. Burdett - USD Curriculum Coordinator, 1968
USD Teachers and Administrators. The Utah Eagle, May 1938
Teachers, principal, and superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf assembled on the steps of the Main Building, 1947. UAD Bulletin, Summer 1969. Kenneth C. Burdett is on the right side of the second row
Kenneth C. Burdett standing on the back row on the left side, 1950s
Kenneth and his students, 1953-54
Kenneth teaching math, 1960
____, Kenneth Burdett, Kenneth Kinner, 1950s
Kenneth Burdett with his students goofing around, 1940s
Kenneth's professional life spans 1934 until 1974
Kenneth teaching algebra, 1954
____, Eleanor Kay Kinner, Kenneth Burdett, Kenneth Kinner, ____, _____, 1953-54
Kenneth and his printing students, 1955. First Row L-R: Ronald Forbush, Rollin Jones, Robert Bonnell, Max Hardy. Second Row L-R: Jay Christensen, Keith Stewart, Roy Milburn, Lynn Losee, Raymond Valencia. Back Row L-R: Tommy Lewis, Von Jones, Jackie Imhoff, Kenneth Burdett, Bruce Harvey
Kenneth setting up the printing machine
Kenneth C. Burdett and his M-Men basketball team of the Ogden Deaf Branch, 1943-44. Coach Kenneth C. Burdett (Center). Clockwise bottom: #2 Peter Koukoutsakis, #9 Lloyd Perkins, #7 Kirk Allred, #7 Mike Pallerakis, #2 Merrill Bauer, #3 Bruce Eyre, #5 Melvin Sorensen, #4 Paul Loveland, #8 Lyle G. Mortensen, #9 Tony Jealco, and #6 Sam Judd
Students went boating with Kenneth and Afton Burdett, Deaf teachers at
Pineview Reservoir, 1953. Standing L-R: Kay Kinner, Marion Brown,
Bruce Harvey, Dixie Lee Larsen, Afton Burdett, Kenneth Burdett, Max
Hardy, Donna Mae Dekker, Leon Curtis, Von Jones, Lawana Simmons.
Sitting L-R: Kenneth Kinner and Ronald Burdett
Kenneth C. Burdett at the 1976 Utah School for the Deaf reunion
Ron, his wife, Joyanne and his sister, JoAnn at the dedication of the new Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf
A Slideshow of Kenneth C. Burdett's
Honoring Ceremony
September 29, 2011
Honoring Ceremony
September 29, 2011
Photos taken by Jodi Becker Kinner
