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Honoring A Hidden Treasure: The Career & Impact of Sally Bushey

photo provided Looking forward to her new paths and directions, Miss Sally Bushey bids farewell to her job that has carried ANWSU for 33 years of excellence and dedication

Tuesday May 4, 2010

By Cookie Steponaitis

    We all know who these people are. We depend on them everyday. They are fixtures in our lives and anchor points in the community. We rely on their devotion, knowledge and presence to hold the line against change. We trust their judgment and we often go through our busy lives without taking time to recognize them or letting them know how valued they truly are. They are our hidden treasures.

    Unearthing hidden treasures in our communities is not only beneficial for each of us as individuals, but illuminating for those who have never been fortunate enough to come into contact with these special individuals. One such individual is Sally Bushey, who has served the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union since July 1, 1978 and as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent since July 1, 1989. During her tenure of thirty-three years, over three thousand students have passed through and graduated from the district and ten superintendents have had the helm. Sally is very devoted to students and people and believes in a level of excellence that has raised the bar to a height that most people never aspire to in their lifetime. On July 1, 2010 an era will end and Sally will step away from her position at the head office, leaving three generations of ANWSU residents with few words that can encompass the thanks, celebration and simultaneous regret that is felt at her retirement.

    When Sally started on the job as the receptionist she did not have a vision of being the lynch pin of the district for so long, but immediately caught the eyes of co- workers and bosses for her patience, professionalism, and uncanny ability to work with people from all walks of life with a caring and calm disposition. For most people who do not work in a school district, the amount of accounts, organization, documentation and different initiatives that are being juggled at one time would cause most people to stop and back away. Sally rolled up her sleeves and jumped in and for the next thirty plus years her recording of school board meetings, organization of professional files, correspondence and capability to organize the impossible into possible has been accepted as standard operating procedure. However, what everyone at all three elementary schools and at the high school has come to rely on is the personal attention paid to their questions, contracts, correspondence and immediate responses whenever they stop in the Green Street Office with questions. If someone doesn’t know, they know to ask Sally.

    Over the years as the district office moved several times and experienced the changes in technology including the use of computers, SMART boards, and much more Sally has remained a constant. Again, what has been consistent for a new person coming to ANWSU is that they see and meet Sally Bushey as the face of the district. She guides them through the process of working in Vermont and has often gone above and beyond for people to make them feel welcomed and valued. In addition to her role at the District Office, Sally has held numerous positions with state and national secretarial and support staff organizations, mentoring and bringing on board many of the younger secretaries and assistants in the district.

      Never one to seek the spotlight, Sally was even shy about interviewing for this article with the Voice and initially but politely declined because she felt she did not need recognition for doing her job. If only it were that simple. It is not only doing her job, but being the standard to which others aspire. For this reporter the thought of the 2010-2011 school year without Miss Sally is incomprehensible and down right disheartening, but then the smile returns for we know she will be close by, enjoying her family, her grandchildren and her friends, for she has more than earned her retirement and all wish her Godspeed.

     Reminded of the anonymous quotation, “Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others,” ANWSU could simply not let Sally Bushey quietly exit stage left without some fanfare and gratitude. It officially declares her one of the most special hidden treasures and invites any of the thousands whose lives have been touched by her thirty-three year career to drop her a card c/o ANWSU, Green Street, Vergennes, Vermont.

     If you would like to say thank you to Sally in person, there will be an open house at the ANWSU offices on June 7th from 3-5 p.m. Come by and share a smile, a memory or celebrate with those gathered.

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