Dr. Matt Buschman will join Fort Zumwalt School District as the Principal at South Middle School, effective July 1. Buschman, who has served as an assistant principal at Pattonville Heights Middle School in St. Louis County since 2022, is focused on a smooth transition into his new position. He has already met the staff and is in regular contact with the current principal.
“As I transition into South Middle, my primary goals are to earn the trust of staff, students, parents, and community members through visibility, communication, and consistency,” Buschman says. “I am eager to learn from the South Middle community and to continue building the strong traditions and culture.”
A part of that culture is the connection between the school and families. Buschman intends to start making connections as soon as possible, planning to welcome incoming sixth graders at transition nights next week. “I am looking forward to being present, visible, and engaged as early as possible,” he says. “Being visible at school events and in the building will allow me to listen, learn, and better understand the values and traditions of the community, while establishing trust and open communication from the start.”
It’s evident from his resume that Buschman is always challenging himself to learn new things. Currently, he’s focused on growing as an effective school leader and creating real-world learning opportunities for students. He often comes back to this quote: “Treat every student like they have your last name." Buschman has shared the common language of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens in his current role and is excited to support the ongoing work that makes South Middle a place where students and staff thrive.
When not at school, he enjoys time with his wife and two children and spending time with friends rooting for the Mizzou Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals or being outdoors and playing golf.
A lifelong Missourian, he has a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Mizzou, a Masters in Educational Administration from Southeast Missouri State and a Specialists degree and Doctorate from Lindenwood. Before joining Pattonville School District, he served for five years as a math teacher at Crestview Middle School in the Rockwood School District. He started his career in Pacific, MO, teaching middle school math and high school American History and coaching basketball at both levels.