by Keaton I. and Hunter R., seniors, and Tyrell I., junior
One new addition to John I. Burton this year is Principal Dr. Mike Goforth, but he isn't really new
to Burton. He used to be a girls' basketball coach here.
He loves coaching but gave it up to be in administration. He said, “I made the change to have more
time with my kids” Goforth and his wife, who teachers English at Central High School, have a son
who’s eight and a daughter who’s three.
Earlier in his career, Goforth was a special education teacher at Burton and an assistant principal
at Union High School prior to him becoming principal. While teaching at Burton he attended Lincoln
Memorial University and received his master‘s degree in education, then finished out with his
doctorate. Many people, like his mom and dad, influenced him early in life. Now that his father has
passed away, his father-in-law is one of his biggest role models.
One of the main issues Dr. Goforth wants to focus on this school year is respect and discipline.
The push to change the school rules and make them more strict is not all Dr. Goforth’s idea; there
are many new federal policies that have to be put in place. He thinks highly of respect. “If you give
me respect, I’ll give you respect,” he stated.
At Burton, some of his goals are to make sure everyone is safe and doing what they need to do. He
also wants to support every student and teacher. “Where you are now isn’t going to be where you
are in the future,” he said. “Don't let anything get in your way of your goals.”
He thinks education and setting your goals is one of the best things you can do to have a good future.