Busch Named NFL Teacher of the Year

Julie Ann Busch (BA ’69/MA ’73) stood on the field before the NFL’s Pro Bowl game in Honolulu, Hawaii, on February 8 and listened as the crowd cheered. Busch, a third grade teacher at Iowa City’s Mark Twain Elementary School, was being recognized as the NFL Teacher of the Year, after being nominated by her former student, Tim Dwight. Dwight, who now plays for the San Diego Chargers, stood beside Busch as she was recognized on the field.

“ He said to me, ‘You’re getting a bigger round of applause than I’ve ever had on the field’,” Busch said with a laugh.

Busch learned she had been selected as the NFL Teacher of the Year when a package arrived at her house from the Chargers on Christmas Eve. The package contained one of Dwight’s jerseys, a note from Dwight that read, “I knew you would win!” and an official letter from the NFL.

Busch received a $5,000 award for herself and a $10,000 prize for her school. She also earned an additional $1,000 for her school when she was chosen as a finalist for the award.

A committee at Twain has been set up to decide how to spend the money. Busch hopes it will go toward literacy since that’s something Dwight, who earned a liberal arts degree in 1999 from Iowa, has emphasized when he’s visited the school. He once donned a “Cat in the Hat” hat and read Oh, the Places You’ll Go to 300 Twain students on Dr. Seuss Day.

Busch said she’s watched Dwight’s football career with great interest. But what she’s been most impressed with over the 20 years since he was in her classroom is the way Dwight has used his influence to make a positive impact on the world.

Dwight hosts a football camp in Iowa City and donates half of the proceeds to the pediatric oncology unit at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The other half of the money is being used to create a scholarship in his name.

Watching Dwight’s success makes Busch wonder who might be sitting in her classroom right now.

“ I think, ‘who could be the next one making a difference,’” she said. “I know there are very special students in all of our classrooms.”

Twain Elementary Principal Brad Laures says Busch is the kind of teacher that motivates success and models service to all of her students.

“ Julie is committed to all schoolchildren, whether it be a child who struggles or has the abilities of someone like Tim Dwight,” he said. “She has a huge heart for children and that’s what is so crucial.”

Dwight agrees. “Mrs. Busch always had a good understanding of each of her students’ needs,” he said in a press release on the Charger’s Web site. “She knew how to motivate her students in different ways, enabling them to flourish in the classroom.”

Busch has been teaching at Twain for 34 years. With an interest in elementary guidance counseling, she developed and leads the Conflict Manager program at her school. The program, which promotes peer-to-peer conflict resolution, has spread to each of Iowa City’s 18 elementary schools.

She also formed the Mark Twain Science Committee. One of the major achievements of that group was creating the “Plant Paradise” garden on the edge of the school’s playground. From the garden, students enjoy a salad luncheon on the last day of school. Produce is also sent home with some Twain families and given to the local food pantries.

Busch said she’s humbled that she was selected as the NFL Teacher of the Year.

“ Without a doubt, the mere thought that I have made a difference in Tim’s life is all the recognition I need.” – by Heather McElvain