JUPITER, Fla. — Kevin Burns, a US history and civics teacher at Jupiter Middle School for more than 20 years, died Friday evening after being caught in a current while snorkeling off the Jupiter coast.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Burns and a friend paddleboarded approximately half a mile offshore to a reef in the 3000 block of S. A1A on August 14. The two secured their paddleboards at the reef and entered the water to snorkel. While snorkeling, the current became increasingly strong and carried both men away from their paddleboards. After determining they were unable to swim against the current to return, they decided to swim toward shore.
WATCH BELOW:
Burns' friend made it to shore, but realized Burns had not made it back and was no longer visible in the water. He called 911, and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue arrived. A PBSO helicopter located Burns in the water north of where the paddleboards had been secured at the reef. Burns was transported to Jupiter Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
His parents, Diana and Parker Burns, said the news was difficult to process.
"We just really couldn't believe that," Diana and Parker Burns said.
Jupiter Middle School Principal Lisa Hastey shared the news with families and staff over the weekend.
"Mr. Burns was a beloved member of our Mariner family and taught U.S. History and Civics for more than twenty years. He maintained an unwavering commitment to education and will be deeply missed by all who knew him," Hastey said.
Two of Burns' fellow teachers described the impact he had on everyone around him.
"He was the sunshine," one colleague said.
"He was just the most positive person probably that I ever met, just always looking for the bright side. He just always. A kind word for everybody," another colleague said.
Burns' love for the ocean was as much a part of his life as his classroom. His colleagues said he made a daily ritual of early morning paddles.
"He would go out at 5:30 in the morning, just paddle out, and then he'd send us pictures of the sunrise and just say it's going to be a sublime day. He loved that word sublime," a colleague said.
The night his death was confirmed, about 70 teachers and parents gathered to remember him. Tributes have continued since.
"One of the kids the other night wrote a note saying that because of Mr. Burns, she's now a history teacher," a colleague said.
"He helped us out. He touched a lot of lives. He did," Diana and Parker Burns said.
School counselors are on campus this week to support students and staff. Additional counselors from the District's Department of Behavioral and Mental Health are also present. School Police are also on campus with a therapy dog.
Hastey encouraged families to reach out if students need support.
"If a student expresses the need to speak with someone, please encourage them to do so," Hastey said.
For assistance outside of school hours, families may contact the 211 HelpLine, a free, confidential crisis hotline available by dialing 2-1-1.
"We showed up and we're going to keep moving forward and taking his sunshine with us," a colleague said.
Burns' family is planning a celebration of life near the water.
"We are going to have a celebration of life, probably down by the beach where he would want to be in Jupiter," Diana and Parker Burns said.
