Johnny Bush is a native of Lake Worth, Florida, located in Palm Beach County. He has a bachelor’s degree in School Social Work from Concordia Lutheran University in Seward, NE, and a master’s degree in Deaf Education from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville. Mr. Bush received his certification in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. 

 

He began his teaching career in the elementary department at the Florida School for the Deaf in St. Augustine, Florida. His career with Hillsborough County Public Schools began in 1997 as a teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students at Brandon High School. He went on to become the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs at Riverview High School (2003-2006), Assistant Principal for Administration at Brandon High School (2006-2009), Assistant Principal for Curriculum (2009-2012), and eventually Principal of T. R. Robinson High School (2012-2016). In 2016, Mr. Bush was appointed General Manager in the office of Professional Standards for Hillsborough County Public Schools. After one year in this position, he was appointed Principal of H.B. Plant High School in 2017. After 33.5 years as an educator in the state of Florida, Mr. Bush retired and  currently serves as the hall monitor at Thomas Jefferson High School.

 

Johnny has experienced many highlights throughout his illustrious career. As proud Principal of T.R. Robinson High School and H.B. Plant High School, both schools maintained “A” ratings every year under his leadership. Plant High School also maintained its status as the top high school in the entire surrounding Bay Area under Mr. Bush’s guidance. Another proud Principal moment came when Robinson High had the highest percentage student body for all Hillsborough County High Schools say they felt very safe at their school. He believes strongly “when students feel safe, they will receive a great education.”

 

Mr. Bush is a servant leader, has served on many HCPS committees. Most notably he served as a member of the Wallace Grant Committee, a substantial grant awarded to Hillsborough County Public Schools. He is currently the Executive Director for The Hillsborough Association of School Administrators (HASA). He serves on the boards of Friends of the Children Tampa Bay (FOTCTB) and The Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF).  

 

Johnny is a product of public education and credits many of his teachers for much of his success. He has worked with special needs children since age 14. Being blessed with the support of mentors and advocates in his life as a youth, he has always felt the need “to give back.” 

 

Bush has been married 24 years. He and his wife Lauren have two amazing daughters who both graduated from Plant with him as their principal. In 2015, he was featured in the May issue of Tampa Parenting magazine. “I can never put into words how important it was to be featured as a family man.”  Mr. Bush firmly believes parent involvement and mentoring (formal or informal) are two important factors necessary for students to be successful.