The end of the 2019-20 school year sees two teachers retiring from Sheckler Elementary School - music teacher Kurt Anchorstar and third-grade teacher Claudette Burker.

Anchorstar was born in Pottsville. He graduated from Moravian College in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in music and began graduate studies in music education research at Temple University in 1989.

Anchorstar began teaching general music and choir in 1986 at Lincoln Middle School in the Catasauqua Area School District. He became choir director of all choirs for grades 5-12 in 1997. He also taught music theory at Catasauqua High School.

Anchorstar made the switch to Sheckler Elementary School around 2009 to teach kindergarten through fourth grade.

He is married to Kathryn Anchorstar, and he has two sons, Jacob and Didrik.

Anchorstar noted he is a big fan of the Philadelphia sports teams, especially the Eagles.

In his retirement, Anchorstar plans to continue making music by singing with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. He also hopes to go camping, fishing and traveling.

Burker graduated from Millersville State Teacher’s College, currently Millersville University, in 1986. She was hired as a fourth-grade teacher at Sheckler Elementary at that time and remained in that position for eight years.

Following her maternity leave, Burker returned to Sheckler to teach third grade.

“It has been in that classroom where I have spent the last 24 years of the most rewarding career,” she said.

She met her husband at Sheckler, and she said it was an easy decision for them to send their son, Patrick, to Sheckler when it was time for him to attend kindergarten.

“We knew Patrick would be given opportunities to grow and learn in a nurturing and caring environment,” she said. “That is why I am so proud and fortunate to have taught at Sheckler Elementary School my entire 32 years.”

She also noted she is proud to live in the community where she teaches.

“I have grown fond of the many families and colleagues I see in my neighborhood,” she said.

In her retirement, Burker looks forward to spending more time on the beach in South Carolina.