Celebrating Excellence: Coach Carignan and Ms. Avant Nominated for the Crystal Apple Award!

At Burns Sci-Tech, we are surrounded by incredible educators and teachers who pour their hearts, creativity, and energy into our students every single day. This year, we are proud to celebrate two outstanding members of our team, Coach Carignan and Ms. Avant, both nominated for the prestigious Crystal Apple Award.

The Crystal Apple Award recognises educators who exemplify exceptional dedication, innovation, and positive impact within their school communities. It honors teachers who go above and beyond, those who inspire students, support colleagues, and truly embody what it means to be an exceptional educator. Coach Carignan and Ms. Avant represent all of that and more.

Coach Carignan: A Passion for Athletics

Coach Carignan has been a proud and influential member of the Burns Sci-Tech family for the past four years, and in that time, she has become a cornerstone of our Special Areas team. For the last two years, she has served as our Special Areas Lead, guiding her department with vision, collaboration, and an open heart. With 19 years of experience in education, she brings both expertise and innovation to her role, always welcoming new ideas and working closely with her colleagues to strengthen curriculum and opportunities for students.

Burns runs deep in the Carignan household. Her two boys, Reid and Owen, attend our school, and her husband, Mr. Carignan, is our high school vice principal. Their family’s dedication to Burns enriches our community, and Coach Carignan’s influence touches students far beyond the PE field.

As one of our PE coaches, she has connected with students across every grade, K–12, creating an environment where movement, confidence, teamwork, and joy come together. Students look forward to her class because they know they will be encouraged, supported, and challenged in all the right ways.

She has also contributed at the district level as part of the Volusia County Schools Physical Education Curriculum Mapping Team, helping shape PE instruction for students across the county.

Her dedication extends well beyond her daily classes.

Coach Carignan also:

• Coaches high school girls’ beach volleyball, bringing leadership, motivation, and team spirit to the court

• Helps lead cross country, supporting runners

• Teaches archery, giving students access to unique athletic opportunities

What truly sets Coach Carignan apart is her heart. She is approachable, uplifting, and always willing to go the extra mile, often literally, with her students. She builds real, meaningful relationships, helping students find their strengths, believe in themselves, and feel seen and valued. Her presence brings positivity to every hallway, field, and practice she touches.

Coach Carignan is not just an excellent coach; she is a mentor, a leader, and a champion for every student who crosses her path. Her commitment to the Burns community continues to shape our school in powerful, lasting ways.

Ms. Avant: The STEM Queen of Junior High

Ms. Avant has been teaching for around nine years and has been a valued member of the Burns family for the past two and a half years. From the moment she joined us, she brought a spark of innovation, enthusiasm, and warmth that has made her one of the most beloved educators on campus. Burns truly hit the jackpot when she walked through our doors.

Before joining Burns, Ms. Avant made a tremendous impact in Georgia, where she helped build and grow her previous school’s STEAM program. She held several major leadership roles, including STEAM Professional Learning Community Lead, Materials Committee Head, and STEAM curriculum developer. She also served as Science Department Head and 7th Grade Science PLC Lead, earning respect and recognition for her ability to blend rigorous academic content with hands-on creativity.

One of her most notable achievements was leading her classes in designing innovative methods to track the impact of humans on local wildlife populations. This impressive, real-world STEM project earned her the 2021 STEM Scholar Award from the Georgia Youth Science Technology Center, highlighting her talent for creating meaningful, impact-driven learning experiences. Throughout her career, she has served as a Department Chair, PLC Lead, Academic Advisory Council Member, and Mentor Teacher, always elevating the schools she serves.

Here at Burns, her impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. Students adore her because she makes learning feel like an adventure. Parents admire her because they see the way she ignites curiosity in their children. Colleagues respect her because she leads with grace, insight, kindness, and unwavering professionalism.

She and her husband, Kenny, have a daughter, Emersyn, who is a kindergartener at Burns, making the Avant family a beloved part of our community.

As an eighth-grade science teacher and team lead, Ms Avant transforms her classroom into a world of discovery. Her lessons are hands-on, high-energy, and unforgettable. One day, students may be experimenting with dry ice; the next, they might be engineering pumpkin explosions or solving challenges that require critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity. She encourages students to take risks, explore boldly, and believe in their ability to innovate.

But beyond the exciting projects and impressive curriculum she builds, what truly sets Ms. Avant apart is her heart. She is the kind of teacher who sees the potential in every student and makes sure they see it too. Her classroom is a place where students feel valued, supported, and safe to be themselves. The relationships she builds with trust, warmth, and compassion are part of what makes her so treasured at Burns.

Her colleagues describe her as collaborative, dependable, inspiring, and deeply dedicated. She is the first to celebrate others’ successes and the first to step in with creative solutions. She leads with humility and brilliance, and her presence strengthens the entire campus.

Her dedication, creativity, leadership, and compassion make her a cornerstone of the Burns STEM program and an educator who leaves a lasting imprint on every student she teaches. Burns is incredibly fortunate to have her passion elevate our school in ways that words can barely capture.

A Well-Deserved Honor

Both Coach Carignan and Ms. Avant embody the very spirit of Burns Sci-Tech: passion, dedication, innovation, and heart. Their Crystal Apple nominations shine a light on the tremendous work they do every day and the lasting impact they have on the students lucky enough to learn from them.

And while they may not have taken home the Crystal Apple this year, they are absolute winners to us. We know just how fortunate we are to have them as part of our Burns family. Our students are especially lucky to be guided, taught, and inspired by two women who give so much of themselves and care so deeply about the success and well-being of every child they meet.

We could never fully express how grateful we are for everything you do, Coach Carignan and Ms. Avant. Thank you for your passion, your dedication, and the incredible difference you make at Burns Sci-Tech every single day.

Crystal Apple Awards '25