Noreen Bush began her career in education as a high school English, Speech and Theatre teacher in Clayton, Missouri and moved back to Iowa in 1999. She started her educational administrative career in 2005 as an Assistant Principal at Prairie High School in College Community School District. She served in several administrative roles in College Community as well as Mount Vernon Community School District. She has been a principal at every grade level (elementary, middle and high) as well as a Director of Secondary Education and Innovation.
In 2017, Noreen was named Associate Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District, then moved into the Deputy Superintendent role in 2018. She now serves as Superintendent of CRCSD, and in partnership with the Board of Directors, her focus is on the continued innovation and implementation of a bold strategic plan focused on equity and designed to ensure all learners experience a rigorous and personalized learning, so they have a plan, a pathway, and a passion for their future.
Noreen is an active member of local community organizations focused on serving underserved families in Cedar Rapids: Downtown Rotary, Women United, and the United Way of East Central Iowa. Noreen is a member of several educational advisory boards including the Iowa Business Education Alliance Advisory Board for the Iowa Business Council, The University of Iowa Education Advisory Committee and Drake University Advisory Board.
Noreen is also an advocate for cancer research with Cedar Rapids Mercy Hospital. She is a cancer patient and advocates for raising awareness and funds for women’s cancer research and access for all women to obtain quality medical care. This experience has nurtured Noreen’s sincerest appreciation for medical research and treatment, and has every woman deserves access to the highest quality medical care.
Past AASA Iowa Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2021 Iowa Superintendent of the Year: Russ Adams
2020 Iowa Superintendent of the Year: Joel Pedersen
About the Superintendent of the Year:
As a sponsor of the superintendent of the Year program, First Student wants to recognize these leaders in a special way this year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption that has affected all education systems but also the innovative approaches that the superintendents and school districts addressed through radio, television, zoom and take-home packages. These superintendents are the very best in public education and are needed more than ever during this crisis.
About the Award:
The superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, The School superintendents Association, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State level winners are selected on the following criteria:
- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement