By Rodney Hays
Staff Writer
Leanne Bush is putting her years as a mom, volunteer and teacher together to be the best principal she can be at McKillop Elementary School this year.
Bush has worked for Melissa ISD for five years, but she served in several other capacities before returning to work full time.
"I have been a room mother, member of the site-based committee, classroom volunteer, tutored students needing support, worked part time as support staff for struggling students, and substitute teacher," Bush said.
The Bushes moved to Melissa about 13 years ago. She said they were looking for a place "to raise our four children that would be supportive of our goals of teaching our children high expectations in their educational endeavors, growing them as community leaders, and growing our family socially as respectful and productive citizens. We were looking for a community that was purposeful in their actions, believing in the philosophy of the entire village raising a child," Bush said.
Bush has taught fourth grade and has served as an assistant principal at Melissa Ridge Intermediate, Melissa Ridge Elementary and Harry McKillop Elementary. She also has taught prekindergarten and first and third grades in other districts prior to MISD.
Bush said her first day this week as the McKillop principal was wonderful.
"The students were filled with anticipation, the parents were supportive, and the staff was phenomenal," Bush said. "We were prepared and ready for our McKillop Cardinals. There were smiles everywhere as parents were helping children to their classes, dropping off at carpool, buses were delivering and walkers were arriving. There is nothing as wonderful as the smile of a child."
Bush said she is grateful for the opportunity to serve as principal and growing the leaders of tomorrow.
"We have an obligation and responsibility to the families and children of the MISD to build a foundation that will help our McKillop Cardinals grow into the adults that they are intended to be. Our country's leaders, taxpayers and future decision makers are now beginning their journey with us. Neither past nor future generations can serve the purpose in this generation -- only we can do that. I am honored to begin this partnership with the community, parents, McKillop staff, and children of Melissa."
The goals for McKillop will be simple, Bush said. She wants to build upon the vision for the district: Melissa ISD will be the district that all others in Texas and beyond will emulate.
"Kids come first here," Bush said. "Meeting their needs is our No. 1 priority."
She also wants to continue to build upon what is already a great school.
"We are an Exemplary school and we aim to stay that way," she said. "The citizens of Melissa expect this and deserve this. I value the families here and look forward to a long partnership with them. Some of our children will have jobs in the future that have not yet been invented.
"We must prepare them for these jobs. We must prepare them to be thinkers, inventors and problem solvers for their own economical and financial security. We must prepare them for obstacles as well as for the accolades that life will bring them. We must teach them respect for one another, for their community, and for their environment. We must prepare them for their future, whatever that may bring."