April Bush says teaching’s greatest rewards are not tangible

ALBANY — For the past 10 years, Northside Elementary School math teacher April Bush has believed that greatness resides in all of her students — and she sees it every day in her classroom.

“There are many rewards that come in the field of education, but the greatest reward of teaching is not tangible,” Bush, one of eight finalists for the Dougherty County School System’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year, said. “I enjoy seeing my students master the skills that I teach every day. The moment a student grasps the concept I am teaching is an accomplishment and a motivation to work harder to get all my students to master the skill.

“My classroom environment is welcoming, engaging and full of excitement. I want my students to feel happy and safe in my classroom. I want them to be able to feel free to ask questions, make mistakes and learn.”

Bush has a passion for teaching that came at a young age.

“I’ve always had a passion for teaching since I was a little girl,” she said. “All my previous school experiences have impacted my life in a positive way. One reason I value education is that my mother worked two or three jobs to provide for my sisters and myself. She always told us that our only job was to do well in school because it would play a big part in our lives later on.

“So when it came time for college I was ready to go.”

Bush said she feels teaching is not only her job, it is her obligation.

“Educating today’s students is a major calling that can only be done successfully by someone who has a passion for teaching, a caring spirit for others and a desire to mold young minds into life-long learners,” Bush said. “I truly believe that all students have the innate ability to learn if they have the right person to help them with their learning process. I believe my philosophy of teaching is to teach the whole child by empowering them to become critical thinkers, positive thinkers and tomorrow’s leaders.”

Bush holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Albany State University and a master’s in Post-Secondary Education from Troy State University.

Dougherty County’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year will be announced Thursday evening at a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn.