John Marshall High School Teacher Receives Statewide Recognition for Going ‘Above and Beyond’

After a week filled with preparations for John Marshall High School's homecoming dance this Saturday, JMHS Biology teacher Alexa Bushovisky thought plans had gone awry when Principal Jason Marling entered her classroom on Thursday.

However, instead of hearing bad news from Marling regarding homecoming plans, Bushovisky was handed a blue, apple-shaped Blenko paperweight, as she had been named West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Above and Beyond Teacher for September.

On Thursday, during her honors Biology class, Bushovisky was surprised by JMHS staff and WVPB Education Director Autumn Meadows, who presented her with the award.

"This week has been incredibly busy, and things have been coming at me in all different directions at all times," Bushovisky said. "It felt wonderful to receive this recognition because I'm at the end of a very hectic and chaotic week."

According to Meadows, the WVPB Above and Beyond Teacher Award recognizes one WV teacher from any grade level monthly who "goes the extra mile" for students. Bushovisky was nominated for the award by Kathleen Loughman, JMHS Science Department Chair, and selected from the nominee pool by a panel of college professors.

The award is sponsored by the WV State Treasurer's Office through its Smart529 Plan. Meadows stressed the importance of the award for recognizing teachers for their dedication in and out of the classroom.

Loughman, who has nominated Bushovisky for the award five times, was thrilled to finally see the Blenko paperweight in her colleague's hands. Bushovisky's "constant work" to go "above and beyond for the students" made Loughman fill out the nomination form every year.

"I nominated her several years in a row because she's probably one of the most deserving people in the entire school," Loughman said. "She does everything, not only for our science department teachers but for the students as well."

Bushovisky's involvement at JMHS goes beyond the 10th-grade regular and honors Biology classes she teaches. She is an advisor for the student council and helps organize school activities, including dances, as well as community projects and fundraisers for students.

"We try to get the kids involved as much as possible," Bushovisky said. "I find it really important to give back when possible because that improves our school culture."

Bushovisky also serves as a counselor for the school's outdoor club, which focuses on getting students out and involved in the community. Bushovisky has taken students on skiing, hiking and ziplining trips so they can participate in "positive outdoor activities."

"I just want kids to realize there are things to do outdoors locally rather than just hanging out in their bedrooms or at home," Bushovisky said. "We want to expand the club's activities and are looking at getting them involved in some kayaking in the future."

Meadows said Bushovisky's involvement with the outdoor club set her apart from other nominees.

"She has the outdoor club, does a lot of fundraising, and is heavily involved with organizing the school's homecoming," Meadows said. "There were multiple paragraphs that just talked about all the different things she participates in, which shows she's extremely involved in the school and the community. It's clear that she attends her students' activities and goes above and beyond to support them."

Meadows encouraged Bushovisky to spend the $300 check that came with the award on something nice for herself. While Bushovisky had not yet decided how she would spend the money, she said she would take Meadows' advice and use it for "something special."

"If something needs to get done, Alexa Bushovisky is the one who's going to get it done," Meadows said. "I'm excited that Alexa won the award this month, and I look forward to seeing other John Marshall teachers receiving it in the future."