Denice Burbach honored with Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award
When Denice Burbach began her career in early childhood education, she never imagined she would one day be teaching at the college level, let alone be recognized for it. After 25 years of teaching preschool and another decade working in high school education, Burbach returned to where her own academic journey began: Yuba College.
“I wanted children to have high-quality teachers like I had,” she said. “The community was familiar to me. I can’t imagine going to another college.”
Now serving as the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Coordinator, Burbach’s work and dedication have earned her the Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award. Selected by her peers through a nomination and voting process, the award is a reflection of the high regard she has earned among faculty and staff alike.
“I was honestly shocked that I won the award,” Burbach said. “I really feel like this isn’t just an award for me, but for all our ECE faculty more than anything. They’re all a team and the backbone of the department. They all truly deserve it.”
Her nominators those praise Burbach’s tireless work ethic and commitment to both students and colleagues.
They shared that Burbach works non-stop for our ECE students and colleagues.She devotes more than 12 hours every day to our community. She is kind and considerate and develops materials that meet the needs of every student and all of us in the ECE department. Thanks to her support, Burbach has played a key role in creating a community where underrepresented students feel seen.
Burbach finds her true joy in watching students thrive, especially in their practicum courses where they get hands-on teaching experience.
“My favorite thing about my job is being able to observe my students, especially in their practicum course, where they get to practice teaching. Seeing the growth they made as students and seeing them apply that to teaching is wonderful,” she said.
Some moments are especially full-circle. “I had a student who gets embarrassed every time I tell this story. I taught her from preschool to college, and she’s a mentor teacher here now.”
Burbach’s vision for the department is centered around accessibility and community transformation. With support from her colleagues, Shirley Murillo, Thelma Amaya, Noemi Sanchez and Griselda Madrid, Yuba College now offers six education classes in Spanish, something Burbach sees as essential for bilingual students learning in their native language.
“All of these women have done phenomenal work in bringing more equitable practices and approaches for our Spanish-speaking students,” she said. “Our whole ECE department is full of amazing women such as Ramona Knight, Donyale Miller, Michelle Salluzzo, Kimberly Dutcher and Patty Ryan who have been giving to our students and the community for many years. We are a family!”
Her drive comes from a deep commitment to uplifting the next generation of educators and the families they will serve.
“My life goal is to change my community and make a difference. I really feel like I’m doing that,” she said. “Seeing my students grow from their very first college lecture to teaching. I love seeing them grow and become who they’re meant to be. That’s what keeps me motivated.”
Her story is one of lifelong learning, rooted in deep care for the children and families of her community. Burbach’s tireless commitment is clear: She is a mentor, a leader and above all, a believer in the power of education to transform lives, something she is helping to do every single day.