“So Many New Things to Do”: Beloved Art Director Takes New Direction

After more than 20 years of teaching, Burlington High School’s Art & Design Program Coordinator George Ratkevich is preparing to close the door of his classroom for the last time.

Retirement is often seen as the end of a career. For Ratkevich, it marks the continuation of a life shaped by creativity, curiosity, and connection.

As he steps away from teaching after the 2025-26 academic year, Ratkevich said he is reflecting most on the relationships he has built. He hopes his students leave his classroom with confidence and carry creativity into their daily lives. Still, leaving behind those daily interactions will not be easy.

“This is a good year to end with,” Ratkevich said. “I’m glad to go out on a high note. My students are awesome.”

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He said one of the most rewarding parts of his career has been seeing his students grow over time, both as artists and as people.

“There are many students I’ve had the pleasure to teach for two, three, four years straight,” Ratkevich said. “I’ve had a chance to see them grow as humans and as artists over the years.”

Ratkevich’s wife, Barbara Bolstorff, said this next chapter is something he has long anticipated. While he probably won’t miss the paperwork that comes with teaching, she shared that he will miss “the students first and foremost, and then his colleagues and social interactions.”

For those who worked with him, his legacy is clear. His classroom was more than a place to learn art. It was a space where students felt encouraged, supported, and inspired to grow. “The mentoring he has provided students is very inspiring and seems to have positively impacted many throughout his tenure,” Bolstorff said.

But, she said, her husband is eager to spend more time on his own art, which often took a back seat during his teaching career.

Indeed, Ratkevich says he plans to return to his personal art practice in retirement. “One of my dreams is to purchase a high-roof van to convert into a mobile painting studio,” he said.

Ratkevich’s journey into teaching began long before he stepped into the classroom. As a child he was always drawing – specifically comics. This interest led him to pursue a degree in painting at Boston University before later earning his MFA in Studio Teaching. His path then led him into education, where he could share his passion for art and watch students grow.

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Over the years he became known not just for teaching but for being a great mentor. Colleague Mojdeh Kazem, who has spent time observing and co-teaching with him, described his approach as thoughtful and intentional.

“He is highly skilled at designing creative and thoughtful curricula, and he guides students through each process with intentional scaffolding,” Kazem said, adding that Ratkevich “allows students to build technical skills, deepen their understanding, and ultimately work independently with confidence.”

That balance between structure and creativity defined Ratkevich’s classroom. Rather than simply teaching art, he created an environment where students felt supported to take risks and explore their ideas.

“He doesn’t simply deliver instruction – he mentors students through the creative process,” Kazem said. “He encourages exploration and risk-taking rather than prescribing outcomes.”

Beyond the classroom, Ratkevich played a key role in shaping the school’s art program. He helped develop new courses, served as head of the art department, and later became the district’s visual arts coordinator.

His work also extended into the community. He collaborated on public art projects and connected students with real-world creative experiences.

Barbara L’Heureux, a member of Burlington’s Public Arts Committee, saw that impact firsthand.

“He brought in strong knowledge and helped guide the group in making decisions and creating projects,” L’Heureux said.

Through those efforts, students had the opportunity to showcase their creativity beyond the classroom, contributing to projects such as logo design, painted sculptures, and community murals.

Even given all his accomplishments, colleagues say Ratkevich remained a collaborative leader.

“He does not force any opinions, but works with others to come up with better ideas,” L’Heureux said. His ability to lead through collaboration and care left a lasting impression on both colleagues and students.

At home, Bolstorff said, he brings the same curiosity and balance to his personal life.

Bolstorff described him as “a curious person, constantly learning, reading, and researching, especially historical periods, with a deep interest in film.” Yet, she said, “he does a very good job of balancing work and home life and is a 50-50 partner when it comes to parenting and household duties.”

As he prepares for retirement, he is not stepping away from creativity, only approaching it differently.

“Absolutely, art will continue to be part of my life,” Ratkevich said. “There are so many new things to do.”

The work picks up as early as this summer as Ratkevich leads a community mural project alongside student Afsa Khalifa at the Human Services Building at 61 Center St.

Art from Ratkevich's students will be displayed this summer at the mobile art gallery, which will be stationed at 3rd Ave. You can also find a feature from select artists in the full print or digital edition of the summer edition of Burlington Buzz Magazine.

Courtney Walker is a student at Endicott College studying journalism. This story was published in partnership with the Massachusetts News Service.