Indian Paintbrush school nurse named ACSD1 Difference Maker of the Year
Indian Paintbrush nurse Stacy Busch was honored as ACSD1’s Difference Maker of the Year, spotlighting the quiet work that keeps students healthy and in class.
Stacy Busch, the school nurse at Indian Paintbrush Elementary School in Laramie, was named the 2026 Albany County School District #1 Difference Maker of the Year during the district’s staff recognition ceremony.
The honor put a spotlight on a role that often stays behind the scenes but affects nearly every school day. At Indian Paintbrush Elementary, 1653 North 28th St. in Laramie, Busch’s work sits at the intersection of student health, attendance, family communication and the basic need to keep children ready to learn. When a nurse helps a child get through the day safely, the impact reaches classrooms, parents and teachers at once.
ACSD1’s award criteria show why that work matters. Nominees for Difference Maker of the Year are judged on work performance, relationships with stakeholders, dependability, leadership and overall impact on the school community. Busch’s selection signals that the district valued the kind of steady, practical support a school nurse provides every day, not just the visible moments that draw attention.
Her recognition also came during a broader stretch of district celebration. The district’s recognition cycle in May included multiple honors, and Aimee Gray was named ACSD1 Teacher of the Year at the staff recognition ceremony held Thursday, May 7. ACSD1 also marked National School Nurses Day in early May, adding another layer of meaning to Busch’s award for families and staff who rely on school health services.
For Indian Paintbrush Elementary, the award was rooted in one building and one school community, not a generic district office citation. Busch is listed on the school’s staff directory as the school nurse, and that specific role is part of the everyday infrastructure that helps classrooms run smoothly. When children feel unwell, when parents need communication, or when attendance depends on a child being healthy enough to stay in class, the school nurse becomes a crucial point of contact.
In a district facing budget pressure and changing public expectations, the recognition also carried a message about priorities. ACSD1’s choice to honor Busch underscored that student success depends on more than instruction alone. It depends on the staff members who help children stay healthy, settled and present, day after day, inside schools like Indian Paintbrush Elementary.
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