Earlier this month, Shelby Oaks Elementary School opened a Community Care Closet that was dedicated in memory of the school’s former behavioral specialist Michael T. Burtis, who passed away in September at age 67. 

The Care Closet was made possible via support from FedEx Corp., New Dimensions Ministries, and Tom and Carol Buckley. It offers wraparound supports including school uniforms and other clothing, coats and jackets, school supplies, hygiene products and food items.

Mr. Burtis retired in June from Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). A much-loved member of the Shelby Oaks family, he embodied the meaning of community. A dedication plaque honoring Mr. Burtis states: May the mentorship and compassion you showed to so many in our community continue to inspire us all along the way.

In a Facebook post announcing his death, a parent wrote: “Mr. Burtis is a big part of the reason my son has become who he is today. He took my son under his wing when he first came to Shelby Oaks in kindergarten. He's now in his first year of college. Every time we visited the school, that was the first person he looked for. The last time we saw him, he hugged my son and he cried so hard and told him how proud he was of him. I will be grateful to this man forever.”

Mr. Burtis’ memory and dedication to community live on at Shelby Oaks.

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