STUDENT → PLAYER → COACH → TEACHER

The Oregon Small Schools Association (OSSA) selected alumnus Jordan Buhler ’16 as the 2022 – 2023 Teacher of the Year in celebration of his commitment to impacting his community through education. He was presented the award at the statewide celebration in Portland, Oregon in November 2022.

A former Beacon men’s basketball player, Buhler is pretty honest about his life as a student at Bushnell University: “I was completely apathetic at times with both my faith and my academics during my time on campus.” He chose to major in elementary education but didn’t immediately pursue a career in teaching. He instead launched out overseas and played semi-professional basketball in Moldova. But as he says, “The ball stops bouncing at some point” and he returned to the United States with a renewed passion to explore his calling as an educator.

Buhler was an impact player on the Beacons men’s basketball team, playing in 80 games with an average of 10 points and 6 rebounds per game, even earning All-Conference Honorable Mention his senior year. But he credits people like Corey Anderson, Director of Athletics, and Dr. Brian Kaelin, Professor of Teacher Education, as having been the impact players in his educational life. Despite some of his challenges as a student, Bushnell faculty advocated for him at every turn, even vouching for him when he needed supplemental references to obtain his teaching license.

He returned to his hometown to take his first job as a 5th grade teacher at his former grade school, Harrisburg Elementary. After three years in 5th, he filled a 2nd grade role for one year, and for the last two years has served as the K-4 physical education teacher. Bushnell prepared him to take on any grade level or classroom setting (K-8) but he believes his role as a male elementary educator provides him the opportunity to bring stability, comfort, and mentorship to children who are experiencing single parent households, economic challenges, and trauma.

Receiving the award was never on Buhler’s radar since he did not submit an application, but was rather nominated by his school administrator. When he heard he was chosen, even Buhler admits he “may have shed a tear or two.” He explains, “It’s a God thing, totally. I wasn’t chasing after this. I work hard and I am blessed to have great relationships with people who have believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. As I press on into the work that God has called me to do in education, I see Him orchestrating it all. The seeds of everything in my past are coming to fruition.”

The OSSA comprises 150 of the 180 school districts across the state of Oregon. During the awards ceremony, Buhler was cited as a perfect example of the influence of small schools. Buhler was a “kid who grew up in a small school and came back to teach in a small school, now doing as much as he can to pour back into his community through his small school.” In his acceptance speech, Buhler talked about God and how his faith has influenced his calling.

Buhler married fellow Beacon Danielle (Willyard) Buhler ’19 and they recently welcomed into the world their first child, daughter Eisley. In addition to teaching, Buhler coaches boy’s basketball at Harrisburg High School and referees elementary and middle school KidSports recreational basketball. He is currently completing his master’s in education online through University of Northern Colorado.