Chemistry and Mrs. Busch

During J-term of 2010 I observed a chemistry teacher at Decorah high school who had been teaching for 25 years.  Mrs. Busch had been teaching long enough that she had taught the parents of some of the students she was currently teaching.  From my first introduction with Mrs. Busch I was amazed at how kind and cheerful of a person she was to everyone around her.  Before and after class she was always very interested and supportive of all her students no matter what they were involved in.  When it came time to start class she was still able to retain that cheerful demeanor while holding the attention of her entire class.  There was a moment during that month of observation where I witnessed her have to discipline a student for getting out of line.  The way she handled the situation was not by snapping but by informing the student that what he was doing was hindering the class as a hole and that it was in his best interest to behave if not for himself for that good of the class.  Mrs. Busch's light-hearted attitude and ability to command respect through compassion for others is a disposition I wish I could demonstrate at a teacher.