When Christine Hoddy Busch began her career in public education almost 35 years ago, she brought along a philosophy that is near and dear to her heart: that all children can learn and be successful if they are given the right set of tools.
During the last three-plus decades, Busch has witnessed the truth of these words many times over.
From her early years in education working in Michigan and Nevada to the past 23 years working in the Tempe Elementary School District in assignments ranging from teacher to vice principal to principal and more, Busch sees every day how children are capable of the most amazing feats when given the opportunity, as well as when they have a teacher who believes in them.
“I have seen incredible things with children over the years, and I’ve seen the difference that having a great teacher can make,” she said. “Whether the child is coming from poverty or arrives with lots of tools in his toolbox at school, both the teacher and the child have to believe in themselves.”
This summer, Busch, who currently serves as the Tempe district’s associate superintendent and executive director for human resources, will bring this philosophy to her new role as district superintendent. In early March, the school board announced that Busch would take over the position currently held by Dr. Arthur Tate, effective July 1.
Looking back to her childhood, Busch said she always knew she wanted to work with children in some capacity.
“I was the oldest of five, and I babysat for everyone,” she said. “I’ve always taken care of children, so it was something I knew I wanted to do in some way.”
While Busch said being named superintendent represents a huge honor for her, she confessed that when Tate approached her with the idea, she “thought about it for a very long time.”
“Being a superintendent in a school district in Arizona brings a lot of responsibility with it,” she said.
“I wanted to make sure this was the right decision for the district. I wanted to be sure I would be the right leader, and I thought a lot about how I want to set us up for moving forward.”
In her new role, Busch said she plans to be out in the community, learning from people about what they feel the district does well, and how and where it can improve.
“I want to listen to teachers, classified staff, principals and directors, and learn what their dreams and visions are,” she said.
“The people in the district also have great ideas.”
Dr. David Schauer, superintendent of the Kyrene School District, was quick to agree with the neighboring district’s choice of Busch.
“They made an excellent decision,” he said.
“I have known Chris through the years, and she is a caring and compassionate leader who always puts children first in any decisions that have to be made,” he said.
“Chris is also a progressive- and forward-thinking educator who is open to innovative approaches and strategies in teaching and learning, which is such an important quality in the present era.”
Busch said she knows that her new job will bring its share of challenges, from economic stress and budget cuts to occasional lack of support from the community.
But she also knows that, “regardless of what the legislature says or what the people say, the buses come, the teachers teach and the children have a brighter future because we are all educating them the best way we can with the tools that we have.”
