Wisdom Burton is a caring and authentic person whose number one rule is to keep it real. She works as a fifth-grade teacher at Mae Jemison Elementary School and a cheerleading coach at Prairie Hills Junior High School. This is her first year coaching cheerleading, which feels full circle considering her lifelong love of dance and cheer. Burton came to Youth Empowerment Day because of her passion for mental health and her commitment to raising awareness about youth mental health issues.

​

Growing up, Burton suffered from panic attacks and severe anxiety, which made it difficult to understand her emotions. Without the knowledge or resources to regulate her feelings, they often came out as explosive reactions. Over time, she learned to connect with the root of her emotions, which helped her better understand and manage them. These experiences now guide her work with youth who struggle with emotional regulation.

​

In her free time, Burton enjoys creating choreography—sometimes for herself, sometimes for her cheerleading team—singing, cleaning and reading. As a child, she dreamed of becoming either a singer or a teacher. Looking back, she realizes she has been walking down the path she imagined as a kid.

​

At Youth Empowerment Day, Burton facilitated the workshop “Social Media & Mental Health.” Drawing from her perspective as a teacher, she focused on reminding youth of the world outside social media while also teaching them how to navigate the world within it. She emphasized media literacy and the message that social media is not real life, while equipping participants with emotional regulation and mindfulness tools to help them embrace their individuality.