Phyllis Bush, career teacher, education advocate, founder of the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, board member of the Network for Public Education, was honored with a posthumous award by the 3rd District Democrats of Indiana.
A life well lived.
Public education advocate and activist Phyllis Bush, who died March 19 at the age of 75, was named this year’s recipient of the J. Edward Roush Service Award presented by the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party.
The party honored Bush posthumously at an April 27 dinner at the Eagle Glen Clubhouse in Columbia City. The annual award is for “contribution of time, talent and treasure” to 3rd District Democrats, said Misti Meehan, Allen County Democratic chairwoman.
Bush had taught English at South Side High School in Fort Wayne, founded Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education and was a board member for the Network for Public Education.
Bush “demonstrated steadfast dedication to the betterment of the education system for all people,” Meehan said in her remarks at the dinner.
“Whether writing and organizing for the cause or holding a sign, Phyllis wanted people to know what is happening in their community. … She participated in any way she could and was always willing to help,” Meehan said.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Terrific. Sure brought up emotions in me. My eyes are tearing up.
Go Phyllis. You will always be remembered.
Thanks for this good news, Diane. Reading about Phyllis’ posthumous award made me tear up.
As an aside, did you know that grade 1 students across this nation are being tested online to determine if they are dyslexic? Teachers are really upset. This is crazy.
I have real anecdotes from my cousins, my neighbors, and teachers here and in other states. Makes me sick to my stomach.
Follow the $$$$$.
That’s disgusting, Yvonne.
I learned last night that an effort to stop online testing of very young children in Oregon was blocked by Stand for Children. SFC, run by one of Marian Wright Edelman’s sons, works for the billionaires, never for children.
Our collective venom should be focused on Marian Wright Edelman. I’ve seen her in person twice and she’s never impressed me as one who walks the walk. Remember her husband resigned from the Clinton administration after the sellout on welfare reform while she remained silent. She needs to understand that her legacy is being frittered away by her son. But she probably won’t care since he’s cashing in.
Marian Wright Edelman’s other son Josh worked for Rhee.
When Adell Cothorne discovered cheating in the much praised Noyes School, she reported it to Rhee’s Office. Scores had jumped at Noyes and Rhee put its principal in charge of training all principals. The school was flagged for high erasure rates on tests. Cothorne walked in on what she believed was a cheating session. Rhee’s office sent Josh Edelman and another high official to talk to Cothorne. Nothing happened. Her report was swept under the rug until John Merrow interviewed Cothorne on national TV. End result: Cothorne resigned and left the DC system.
I hope GregB is wrong about Marian. I think her son is the Alex Keaton of the Wright Edelman family! She used to be on the original board of Stand on Children, but she did resign when it became apparent what Jonah was up to, so she hasn’t, exactly, been silent/complicit.
Also, please note that Marian did not–at least to the best of my knowledge (again, correct me if I’m wrong)–endorse her former protégé, HRC, in 2016.
Back to the subject at hand, legacies like those of Phyllis must be celebrated to inspire and motivate all of us who want to follow her path.
I agree. I met her only once, near the end when NPE honored her…but she was still a force of nature for wisdom and experience in education, and a teacher for another generation of activists.