Stuarts Draft Amy Bussey drama teacher makes a difference for her students

Stuarts Draft – Zach Brement remembers how absolutely terrified it was about being on stage as a second year student. He was literally trembling. He asked his drama teacher, Amy Bussey, for the smallest possible part, preferably one without lines. Devils, maybe I could do something behind the scene and not be on stage at all.

Now, as Senior, he is in the spring musical. He said he owes everything to Bussey, an English teacher and drama at Stuarts Draft High School.

“With the amount of effort that has been put to make sure he is comfortable and a good actor, he took me to be this little second year student who was afraid to do anything to have multiple roles in a musical,” Brement said. “She puts everything she has in her students.”

Sometimes you find stories that you never had the intention to write. That was the case last December. He was sitting in a classroom at Stuarts Draft High School talking to a group of drama students about “The Witch, the Witch and the Cabinet” that the students were about to perform.

Some of the actors were also involved in the game of an act of the school that was about to participate in the state championship.

Two plays at the same time looked like many, but Senior Carly Edwards said her teacher, Amy Bussey, was involved in four different shows at that time.

“The most hardworking person in the building,” said the last year student Alandra Niza. “You can quote me on that. Put that in the newspaper.”

That comment derailed the interview, with the rest of our time dedicated to taking Bussey. There were such brilliant comments about the educator that, without help, I said that maybe I should write a story about her.

Nice remembered that comment. A couple of months later he sent me an email and asked me if I was serious. If so, he would love to have a written story as the Senior class gift to Bussey, presented to the teacher on the last day of the spring musical. Nice even gathered other older people after the essay at the end of February to talk a little more Bussey.

“I can say with confidence that we all know if we ever need something we can go to it,” Edwards said. “She puts everything in this department.”

As a first -year student, Eva Vreeland was very calm. He really didn’t like to talk to anyone. But now, as a senior, she accredits Bussey with the construction of her trust.

“Now I will speak your ear if you make me talk,” he said. “Mrs. Bussey was the first teacher I had that I thought, well, I can be myself.”

Vreeland said Bussey was always straight with her. He felt he could tell Bussey something and would get an honest answer.

“She lets me open a lot,” said Vreeland. “I can’t tell you how many times he cried with me. I feel really bad because sometimes I stay like an hour after the rehearsal, and I would be talking to her.”

Bussey was the first person who told her every time they accepted her at a university.

“She would be so happy for me,” Vreeland said. “We would jump from side to side together.”

Andrew Fauber, director of the school band, sometimes works in close collaboration with Bussey in Projects. He said she is more than a fantastic educator, but also a wonderful human.

“I enjoy working with her throughout the year, but especially in the monumental task that is the spring musical,” Fauber said. “I appreciate that your students want to be recognized, since it is only appropriate for someone who spends so much time and effort to their students as Amy.

In many days, Senior Willow Ford would be having a difficult day. Just walking towards the Bussey classroom helped improve it.

“She is so supportive,” Ford said. “You can go to her with anything. He will make sure you know that you are loved and take care of you.”

Edwards agreed.

“I feel that anyone can go to Mrs. Bussey with anything,” Edwards said. “If you are uncomfortable with something or you love something or if you have a problem or if you have had the best day … she was one of the first people I said they accepted me at the University of my dreams and cried with me. She is very sweet.”

Nice remembered as a second year student that Bussey had for English, then two blocks later for advanced theater and then, after school, returned to Bussey’s room for the spring musical essay. The students said they see Bussey more than family members during the game season.

“She is our second mother,” Niza said.

The director of the Choir of the draft of Stuarts, Katie Glydewell, said Bussey is one of the toughest workers he knows at school. In addition to that, he is friendly and compassionate with everyone who knows.

“She has a gold heart and is an inspiring leader,” Glydewell said. “Amy deeply cares about the success of our students while presenting them to be the best they can be and raid a way for their future. In addition to their work ethics, she is an incredible colleague and friend. We love Amy Bussey.”

A couple of years ago, on the opening night of the musical, Bussey was too sick to attend. She sent her eldest daughter and her husband to direct, but Bussey was not going to surprise being part of the show. During the cast of the cast before the show, Bussey was in Facetime with the students. Then he saw the program in Facetime, taking notes all the time to provide comments the next day.

“I really think he cares more than we worry about ourselves,” said Alyssa Sanner.

Bussey is also an actor. The students remembered when I was in a production at Wayne Theater and Tech Week, the week before the Opening Night and usually the busiest week for any production, both for the show on the Wayne and for a show in Stuarts Draft, they were at the same time. It is the only time that any of the students can remember that Bussey took them out of their room to get to Waynesboro in time.

The students went to see their teacher act so that they could support her as if she supported them. “It is always good to see an incredible actor to be incredible by teaching others to be actors,” said Tobi Johnson.

Edwards wants to be a drama and English teacher as Bussey someday. She wants to have an impact on students like Bussey.

“Being in class and spending time with her can really make her day much better,” Edwards said. “I take a bussey class every year, but when there is a semester that I am not in a bussey class, I am so annoying. Doing it during my day is much more difficult.”

However, it is more than being pleasant. Bussey pushes your students to be the best they can.

“She will make you out of your comfort zone and try something new,” she said Carr. “Because she knows you will be good in that.”

Nice remembers that Bussey has allowed him to direct a play for a year. She said the experience really helped her grow as an actor. Meredith Gebhardt also directed a play as a student.

“It’s great because it will let you take the reins, but it’s also there if you have questions,” Gebhardt said.

Ford called it a security network.

“She pushes you out of your comfort zone,” said Ford, “but is also there to catch you if you fall.”

During a drama trip, a group of five students who shared a room asked Bussey every night before they fell asleep.

“She put us and sang a cradle song,” Edwards said. “I feel that the little things like the one it shows that is willing to do anything to improve your day.”

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– Patrick Hite is a news leader reporter. The ideas and advice of history are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/she) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us in Newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared in Staunton News leader: Stuarts Draft Amy Bussey drama teacher puts everything in students