RASD teacher named PARSS Educator of the Year

Mr. Joseph Kush, PARSS Educator of the Year

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Kush, engineering and technology Teacher at Rockwood Area School District, has been named this year’s Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools Educator of the Year for grades 7-12. Each year, the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) honors an exceptional educator, and it is our privilege to recognize Mr. Kush for this well-deserved accolade.

Mr. Kush has been a valuable asset to Rockwood for the past 16 years, transforming the district’s woodshop into a state-of-the-art engineering and technology program. He has enhanced the student experience with his remarkable ability to engage and inspire, fostering not only curiosity and creativity but also building students’ technical skills.

Superintendent of Rockwood Area School District Mark Bower stated, “Joe possesses numerous personal qualities and characteristics that make him both a great individual and an outstanding educator. He approaches everything in life with passion and strives to excel in whatever he undertakes. In addition to his passion for teaching engineering and technology, he holds himself and his students to high standards and realistic expectations. He is energetic, animated and hands-on with his students. Beyond individual student projects, Mr. Kush guides his students through larger group projects as part of community programs, often earning awards at local, regional and state levels. Mr. Kush not only teaches but also serves as an advisor to the district’s Engineering and Technology Club, Junior-Senior Prom, Community Service programs, and as a class advisor.”

Mr. Kush expresses pride in teaching within his small rural community, thriving in the environment that Rockwood provides. He attributes his success to the support from great students, colleagues, administration and the school board. Reflecting on his role, he said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to positively impact students from diverse backgrounds, home lives and levels of education. My goal is to encourage them to achieve their personal best. It is not just about teaching content but teaching students how to realize their potential. It is rewarding to witness the learning and skill growth from unsure seventh graders to young adult seniors ready to enter the real world.”

Mr. Kush will be formally recognized at the PARSS Conference Banquet on May 1 in State College.