Brooke Schmill
bschmill@uwyo.edu
“It is just an amazing joy to help someone learn and see it happen,” said Leslie Rush, associate dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Education. Prior to this position, Rush was a Professor in the in the Department of Secondary Education.
Not only is Rush’s professional career impressive, but also her personal goals she sets and accomplishes. Rush literally goes the distance whether it’s hiking extended famous trails, or teaching around the world.
Rush graduated in 1984 from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a B.A. in History and English with a teaching certificate. After graduating Rush taught high school English for twelve years split between Uganda, California and Texas. In Texas, Rush obtained her Master’s in Education.
Right after college Rush moved to Uganda for three years to teach. She traveled to Uganda during college and said she loved the area. The time spent living in Uganda seems like it was an adventure for Rush. At one point she relocated to Kenya for six months during a war between the government and guerilla armies.
“Our leadership felt it was the safe thing to do,” Rush said about the relocation. “I was young. I like to say Uganda is where I grew up. I learned how to take responsibility for myself.”
Rush said she liked learning about the cultural differences in Africa and immersing in a new culture.
“It was actually harder for me to readjust living back in the states after my time there,” Rush said.
Rush started teaching at the University of Wyoming in 2002 as an English Teacher Educator. During those first years she taught senior level classes for English Education majors, and was a student teaching supervisor.
Rush was introduced to Wyoming when a friend living in the state showed her an ad for a position available at UW.
“I fell in love with the area and the people,” Rush said about visiting UW. She was offered and accepted the job.
Rush said her and her husband agreed to, “give it two years. Fourteen years later we are still here.”
Choosing to live in Wyoming makes sense once hearing about Rush’s outdoor experience. While working towards her Ph.D. in Reading Education from the University of Georgia, Rush decided to hike the Appalachian Trail.
“The trail is around 2,200 miles and they say only 10 percent of people who start, finish,” Rush said. That summer Rush hiked 1700 miles and she returned every summer and hiked small legs until the entire trail was accomplished in 2007.
2002 was a big year for Rush since she graduated from the University of Georgia with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, got married, hiked the Appalachian Trail and moved to Wyoming.
After graduating from college Rush knew she wanted to be a teacher.
“I always felt that teaching was my calling,” Rush said.
Rush said she misses teaching since she has a full time administrative position, but her experience crosses over.
“I think you have to be highly organized to be a teacher and that has helped with my administrative work,” Rush said.
Now, Rush’s duties include being responsible for accreditation of teacher education programs, supervising the office of teacher education and helping resolve issues that arise. For instance, Rush will help students create improvement plans if struggling with school.
Rush also helps the school solve problems the country is experiencing. Nationwide fewer people are enrolling into colleges of education, and wanting to become teachers.
“This is a problem because our country needs teachers,” Rush said. Rush added that she hopes to recruit top-notch students who want to become teachers.
