Jeff Bush

Consultant
Design & Technological Studies
Oakland Schools
Waterford , Michigan

Jeff Bush is the Design & Technological Studies Consultant for Oakland Schools, the regional educational service agency for Oakland County , Michigan . Oakland Schools is one of Michigan 's 57 intermediate school districts. Jeff is responsible for the development and implementation of K-12 Design and Technological Studies curricula, assessment, and instructional programs for the schools of Oakland County , Michigan. Jeff obtained his Bachelors of Science Degree from the College of Applied Science at Western Michigan University in 1979. While at WMU, Jeff held a number of positions in the residence hall system gaining valuable experience in the areas of educational, recreational, social and cultural development programs as well as facilities management . After graduating, Jeff used his builder's license as a general contractor in residential/commercial construction.

In 1984, Jeff started at Lincoln Consolidated Schools in Willis , Michigan teaching junior high general shop and drafting. He also worked with elementary, middle and high school students at Lincoln . Inspired by the Future Directions of Industrial Education Conference put on by the State of Michigan , Jeff began to move towards a systems model of the study of technology. Engaged in the teaching and the development of curriculum focused on real world applications of academics through concrete hands-on experiences, Jeff implemented problem solving lessons to address science and mathematics principles, as well as communication skills. Improving program content to better reflect a range of technological systems was on going. Units of study were created to stimulate career exploration and assist in an increased awareness of technological applications and impacts. Returning to graduate school, Jeff completed his Masters of Arts at the College of Technology of Eastern Michigan University in 1987. The fall of 1990 Jeff started consulting for Oakland Schools.

Under Jeff's leadership, Oakland County , Michigan developed the largest concentration of the 6-7-8 grades Integrated Mathematics, Science and Technology/IMaST pilot schools in the USA . Developed by the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology at Illinois State University , the IMaST project was funded with support from the National Science Foundation. The project's influence has been instrumental in establishing faculty collaboration across mathematics, science and technology, as well as, design problem solving as a cornerstones of the study of technology.

Working together with our British colleagues, Jeff orchestrated a robust elementary school design & technology professional development series that worked with close to fifty pairs of elementary teachers a year between1992-2000. Introducing design thinking, technological systems, and interdisciplinary units of study, the initiative provided innovative and creative problem solving experiences for children to developed understanding of their academic subjects along with broad technological literacy. Jeff has been to England a number of times to learn about their educational programs. Most noteworthy was his participation in a Summer Institute in 1999 where he had the opportunity to observe the British model of Design & Technology in a wide range of English primary and secondary schools.

A founding board member of the Learning Institute for Technology Education, Jeff is LITE's immediate past president. LITE is a Great Lakes region professional development organization that promotes and supports the implementation of design and technology education in K-12 schools. Also a member of the Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society, Jeff helped develop and chair the Technology Forum as an integral part of professional development of the Annual MITES Conventions. A long time advocate for technology education, Jeff has served on numerous state committees with Michigan 's Department of Education and Office of Technical Preparation.

Currently, Jeff is involved with Automation Alley, Southeast Michigan 's Technology Cluster. Automation Alley is a future-focused organization that unites exceptional thinkers from diverse realms of technology, academia, manufacturing, engineering, production, and R&D . Jeff is working on the Math Science Partnership and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics/STEM Committees. Jeff is a strong supporter of teacher preparation and serves as a Co-Chair of the School of Technology Studies Advisory Committee at Eastern Michigan University. Jeff credits his inspiration for education stems from his mother's love of learning, the passionate teachers he had, his graduate advisor, Harry PaDelford, and the innovative environment of Washtenaw County , Michigan where Jeff spent the majority of his life. The combination of these factors provided Jeff with the encouragement to question, be curious and think openly about the world we live in and how we learn about it.

Jeff's quest is to establish design centers at all levels K-12. In doing so, design and technological studies can provide for the integration of mathematics, science and technology, and other subjects naturally through the program of study and lab activities. Design thinking allows students to confront constraints and variables whilst making decisions in the development of a plan of action that has real consequences. Students see this process as meaningful and in due course discover their innate talents. Accordingly, they have countless opportunities to demonstrate how they are smart.

Jeff is a proud father of two wonderful sons, Joshua19 and Nicholas13. Josh is studying information systems and Nick is active with middle school. Jeff enjoys bicycling.

Past president of LITE, current board member