Jasper Junior High Dedicates New Media Studio to Late Principal David Burt
- Rita Shipp
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
JASPER, Texas — Jasper Junior High School honored the legacy of former principal and longtime Jasper educator David Burt today with the dedication of the campus media studio, now officially named David Burt Studios.
The studio, home to the school’s student broadcast program known as the Pawedcast, represents everything Burt believed in for students: creativity, hands-on learning, and fearless innovation.
Burt, who passed away earlier this year, spent more than three decades in Texas public education — 22 of those years devoted to Jasper ISD, where he served as a teacher, coach, and most recently, principal of Jasper Junior High. Generations of students knew him simply as “Coach.” His leadership style was rooted in connection: relationships first, academics and athletics second. He built programs, but more importantly, he built people.
Today, his influence was visible in every corner of the studio.
Students demonstrated lighting controls, camera operation, switching equipment, and podcast recording. They worked confidently, directing segments and helping one another troubleshoot — the very environment Burt championed: students leading students.
Joining in attendance were members of Coach Burt’s family, who toured the facility and sat in on a live recording to see the students in action. The dedication plaque now mounted above the studio entry reads “David Burt Studios”, alongside the school’s paw logo — a permanent reminder that Burt’s fingerprints are still on this campus.
“Mr. Burt was instrumental to our media and tech programs, and to the culture of exploration, innovation, and fun that we have at our school,” staff shared.
“This studio exists because he believed students deserved opportunities to create, experiment, and discover.”
Earlier this year, East Texas Banner reported on Coach Burt’s passing and shared portions of his retirement message, where he reflected on his 33 years of service:
“To the thousands of students and student-athletes I crossed paths with, please know that whether I showed it or told you, I loved you all.”
Those words now resonate inside a room filled with students doing exactly what he spent his career fighting for — learning with curiosity, confidence, and joy.
As the tour concluded, the message to Burt’s family was simple:
He is always welcome here.
His legacy already lives here.
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