By Aila Boyd
John Busher, the superintendent of Botetourt County Public Schools, was recently named the Region VI Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents.
“It’s an honor. It really is an honor,” Busher said. “It was a surprise.”
He was presented with a plaque to commemorate the award during the annual spring luncheon for the Virginia Association of School Superintendents during the second week of May in Roanoke. Seven other superintendents from across Virginia received similar honors.
Selection for the Superintendent of the Year awards is made by a committee appointed by the superintendents that comprise the Virginia Association of the School Superintendents.
Once he had been nominated, Busher had to submit a questionnaire to the committee in order to receive full consideration.
“It’s not about me, but it’s about the division,” Busher said of the honor. “I can’t say it’s me, it’s us. I’m fortunate to be working with a lot of capable people who have the same mission.”
He attributed the honor in part to the teachers, staff, School Board members, and students that make up the Botetourt County Public Schools division.
“We’ve worked collectively as a community to provide the best education opportunity for our kids,” Busher said. “It’s not just one person. It’s an award for the community at large.”
All of the members of the Botetourt County School Board sung Busher’s praises.
Chairman Michael Beahm, who represents the Valley District, said, “I think John Busher is outstanding in his knowledge of instruction and academics. Combined with his ability to keep teachers motivated, that is what brought about the recognition of Superintendent of the Year award.”
“Mr. Busher works around the clock for the school system,” Anna Weddle, who represents the Amsterdam District, said. “This award is a perfect culmination of his time with Botetourt County. We are so proud of him for this much deserved honor.”
“What a fabulous way to close a career, being named Region VI Superintendent of the Year! Mr. Busher was very humble in accepting the award as he diverted attention away from himself and onto being able to award a $500 scholarship to a Botetourt student who pursues a career path in education (as a result of winning). But, it’s not surprising. Mr. Busher is always humble and always focuses on our students. I am just overjoyed that he received this much deserved recognition,” Michelle Crook, who represents the Buchanan District, said.
Vice Chairman Scott Swortzel, who represents the Blue Ridge District, said, “To me, John is always the superintendent of the year! His leadership as our superintendent has been critical to our past successes and he has positioned us where we need to be to grow moving forward. This is a great region and to be honored as the Region VI Superintendent of the Year further speaks to John’s abilities and the excellent person he is.”
“I think it’s a very fitting recognition for his years of sacrifice. He is a person who has demonstrated his total dedication to instructing our kids throughout the many years that he has spent in education,” John Alderson, who represents the Fincastle District, said. “We’re indebted to the guy for what he’s done on the educational level. I’m proud to say that moral among our administrators, our teaching faculty, and our other employees is at an all-time high and that’s is due to the studied method of John Busher.”
Region VI comprises 15 different localities in western Virginia: Alleghany, Botetourt, Covington, Craig, Danville, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Martinsville, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Roanoke County, the City of Roanoke, and Salem.
Last year, the former superintendent of Henry County Public Schools Dr. Jared Cotton was named Superintendent of the Year last year.
Busher announced his retirement earlier this year. Dr. Lisa Chen was recently named as his replacement. Her first day on the job will be July 1.
