Au Revoir et Bon Voyage

Pamela Nosbusch, former French teacher and current head of Middle School, to retire after 41 years at USM.

As University School’s longest-serving faculty, Pamela Nosbusch is known and loved for many things—one of them being her ability to face challenges head on. Long before starting her 41-year career at USM, Nosbusch was part of the first group of women admitted to the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in French and Italian. “There were 350 women and more than 6,000 men at Notre Dame the first year women were allowed,” she said. “Sixty of us enrolled as sophomores, and we had to work hard. We had to prove that we were serious students.”

“Thank you for all that you contribute to USM, Pam! You’re a calming and reassuring force amidst the uncertainties of the middle school years. We’ll miss you.” —Laura Shipley, school parent

At University School, she was integral to the evolution of the Middle School foreign language program, helping it grow from an option only offered to 7th-graders to one that’s become a fixed part of the school’s spiraling curriculum, beginning in prekindergarten and continuing through the Upper School grades. Her incredible career at USM has spanned multiple roles, from French teacher to world languages department chair, academic dean and, most recently, head of Middle School.

“She has that special ability to make everyone in the room feel like she is talking directly to them.” —Ben Bishop ’09

“Pam guides the Middle School with a service leadership approach that is indicative of the heart she has put into her career at University School. She is an excellent colleague, consummate educator, and great friend—always thinking of others’ needs before her own. I will sincerely miss her.” —Laura Fuller, Head of School

While it’s been more than 10 years since she has worked directly with students in the classroom, her important role as a division head affects students in a number of ways, including the hiring and development of great teachers and her oversight and work with committees to design or adopt new programs. In addition, Nosbusch was charged with chairing the school’s 2013–2020 Strategic Plan work, which has now evolved into educational priorities for University School.

“Madame Nosbusch was a wonderful French teacher who made class fun. I still love the language and culture and I think of her every time I have an opportunity to speak French. Merci, Madame, and bon chance!” —Erika (Holz) Pond ’91

For Nosbusch, it was an easy decision to stay at USM, even for 41 years. “During my career, I have been blessed to take on many different roles that have challenged me, strengthened me, inspired me, and validated my decision to become an educator.”

“Pam has had such a tremendous impact on USM and, specifically, the Middle School. She has shaped so many of us with her guidance, professionalism, vision, and humor. She should be very proud of the legacy she is leaving behind.” —Jeff Ballentine, faculty