This story is apart of our ongoing coverage of 2024 retirees. More stories are soon to come.
Not only has Donna Slusher taught many subjects in the Special Education department, and advocated for all students, but she has also been the heartbeat of East for 32 years. Slusher, who has shaped the East community to what it is today, is retiring this year. In her 32 years, she has created a community around school spirit, mental health, and togetherness.
Slusher always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but her high school geometry teacher solidified it.
“He was amazing. He made you feel like you were finding the cure to cancer when you solved a problem,” Slusher said.
Although she knew she would work in a classroom, she originally wanted to work with elementary students. Yet when she graduated, there was no need for more elementary school teachers, and she would have had to wait a year. It worked out for Slusher because she realized how much she loves being with high schoolers. She decided to teach Special Ed because she loves working with kids who are challenged and to advocate for them.
“I love young people, I love teenagers. They’re funny, quirky, growing, and learning. And you can communicate with them. You aren’t babysitting them and I love the challenge of teenagers,” she said.
Slusher still loves little kids. She was the room mom for both her children’s classes and spends a lot of time with her grandbabies.
Outside of the classroom, Slusher is always eager to help with any activity or event. She runs RISE, freshman orientation, pep rallies, tailgates, East Side Crew, and does announcements for basketball games.
When a staff member has cancer, or there are burn victims, I’m one of the first people to ask, how can we make something happen for them, and how can the school support them.”
One of her most active activities is Senior Leaders, a team of 30 seniors each year who create initiatives for school spirit and leadership. Slusher said that before she and PE teacher Nicole Miller ran the team, Senior Leaders was a lot smaller and only ran the annual Lake Geneva trip. It’s now much more: planning and promoting Elektrik Fest, organizing fun leadership days for each grade level, participating in pep rallies and managing tailgates.
“Starting East Side Crew was tough at first because it isn’t an official club, every student is apart of it. But the Senior Leaders are a collective group of people that were invested in the school to help promote games and activities,” she said.
Emily Puth is apart of Senior Leaders this year and said that Slusher was a driving factor for why she joined the group. Even before she became a senior leader, she already understood their impact on the school.
“I remember my 1st event was Sophomore Leadership Day and that was honestly one of my favorite high school memories. That year the senior leaders were definitely the best mentors I’ve had. Seeing how they modeled such amazing senior leaders made me want to become one,” said Puth.
Courtesy of Donna Slusher
She also said that Slush is one of the easiest people to talk to.
“Her energy is contagious and she lights up the room,” she said. “She just has a warmth and comforting soul that you can say anything to and she won’t judge you. Whoever replaces her has big shoes to fill.”
Another activity that touches many students is RISE. Multiple times a year the program takes students out of their classes for a full day to focus on mental health and talking about struggles openly.
“We’re offering students a chance to get anything off their chest. It’s really a safe space for anyone. Especially after COVID, it’s been a struggle for many students,” she said.
It’s even a leadership opportunity for upperclassmen. Many students feel that RISE significantly impacted them so much that they wanted to become mentors. These mentors are trained and attend RISE days throughout the year and lead group sessions.
Lauren Tresselt, a RISE mentor of two years said that the program creates a community dedicated to mental health awareness.
“Many of the mentors and participants make connections with each other and even still talk after RISE is done. One big thing RISE has done for me is to understand that I’m not alone in my struggles and many others are going through the same things I am,” said Tresselt.
After this year, Slusher said she still wants to be involved in the East community. She will run senior leaders for another year and help with East Side Crew events. She will also spend more time with old friends, exercise, enjoy being with her husband and family more, and even visit the national parks.
