I'll take Oak Park history teacher for $100,000, Alex

Here’s some very recent history: Colby Burnett, 29, AP World History and Regional World History teacher at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, bested 14 of the nation’s brainiest K-12 educators to win the JEOPARDY! Teachers Tournament on Tuesday.

Burnett will take home the $100,000 grand prize and he has a guaranteed spot in the upcoming February 2013 JEOPARDY! Tournament of Champions.

From the quiz show’s press release:

Claiming victory in the name of Fenwick was particularly poignant for Burnett, who graduated from the private college preparatory school himself in 2001 before earning a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Northwestern University.

“I felt immense pride in representing my school as an employee and as an alumnus and I really turned it on when my students’ encouraging send-off was shown at the first commercial break,” said Burnett, who currently coaches the school’s scholastic bowl team. “Winning the $100,000 means that I set out and achieved what I wanted to do.”

Burnett intends to use his winnings to purchase a condominium in Oak Park for his mother, whom he credits with his thirst for knowledge.

“My mom has always supported me and I’ve wanted to give her a house for quite some time,” said Burnett. “She moved back in with her parents once she was divorced; I was raised in my grandparents’ house (in Oak Park), which we lost after my grandmother passed away. Truth be told, I didn’t know if she would accept my offer!”