Retirements

Bob Huffman will retire at the end of the school year. Bob began teaching Upper School science at The Bush School during the 20082009 school year. He has taught a host of science courses and served as a dedicated advisor, as well. Some of Bob’s science courses have included: physics, physics with calculus, astronomy, and physics of the body. He also brought his love of science fiction into the classroom, frequently contributing to the speculative fiction course in the English department. In addition to teaching science, Bob has led AMPs (aviation, courtroom, venture capitalism) and Cascades, finishing his teaching career with the Spring 2021 Cascade resonance, reverb, and outdoor performance. Bob also served as the science department chair and chair of the Grants and George Taylor Sabbatical Committee. During the springs of 2009, 2010, and 2011, Bob was on the coaching staff of Bush’s baseball team as the head baseball coach and assistant varsity baseball coach. Bob’s leadership of the Upper School Student-Faculty Senate, his playful sense of humor, and his support of both students and colleagues across departments will be greatly missed. We wish him all the very best in retirement.

Tamara Moats will retire at the end of the school year. She began teaching Upper School history at Bush during the 2003-2004 school year. Tamara’s courses incorporated her love of art history, and she took her students metaphorically all over the world as part of her curriculum. She is particularly proud of the two trips to France that she designed and led for the international travel program. In addition to teaching history, Tamara led AMPs on contemporary art, sewing, book binding, and papermaking, among others, and was instrumental in the Bush Upper School involvement in Teen Feed and Teen Homeless Advocacy. She helped to launch the Internship program for Eleventh Grade students as part of Cascades. Tamara served as an advisor for many students and held the roles of Eleventh Grade dean and history department chair. She has been a fierce advocate for removing plastic bottles from campus, and she has been and continues to be an integral member of our community. Tamara’s insightfulness, sense of humor, and passion will be greatly missed. We wish her all the very best in retirement.

Michael Nipert is retiring from Bush at the end of the year to work on his poetry and private tutoring. Michael began his employment with The Bush School in 1992 as a Middle School English teacher, where he also served as a grade level coordinator. After spending two years teaching English in the Middle School, Michael moved to the Upper School, where he has taught ever since. Michael’s courses allowed him to share his appreciation of poetry and philosophy. In addition to teaching English, Michael led the coffeehouse AMP, popular for its laid-back vibe and daily coffee-shop field trips, and he ran coffeehouse evening poetry readings for twenty-five years. While working in the Upper School, Michael served in various roles, including Ninth Grade dean, Twelfth Grade dean, and Upper School coordinator of deans. During the summers, Michael taught the“pre-season writing” summer program for multiple years. Outside the classroom, Michael spent many years with Bush student athletes, starting the Bush baseball program. In addition to his role as Upper School baseball coach and hitting coach, he also served as a strength and conditioning coach and a fitness center manager. Michael’s passion for his subject matter, engagement with students, and support of his colleagues will be greatly missed. We wish him all the best.

Beatriz Troncoso is retiring from Bush at the end of the year. She began teaching Middle School Spanish at Bush in July 2002. Beatriz taught Middle School Spanish courses to Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade students and led a number of Middle School E-lectives and E-weeks, including painting, calligraphy, and international trips to Spain. She also served as the world language department chair. Beyond the classroom, Beatriz was an assistant coach for the Middle School girls volleyball team. Beatriz is a student-centered, creative educator and helps students discover strengths that they didn’t know they had. Beatriz’s passion, humor, and wisdom will be greatly missed. Beatriz is moving to Spain at the end of the school year to be closer to her family and to embark upon new adventures.