A veteran local union leader, a seasoned 16-year science teacher by day and a songwriting musician by night are just three of the descriptions that fit Mark Buza. Like many NYSUT members, he wears multiple hats, all of them well.

During the day, Buza is a seventh-grade life sciences teacher at Johnson City Middle School and also directs the Johnson City High School marching and jazz bands. A building representative for his local union, he serves on several committees and has been involved in the last two negotiations for the 265-member Johnson City Teachers Association, led by Judy Mitrowitz.

"The more active I am with school and union activities," said Buza, "the more insights and perspective I gain into how things work."

Buza's latest activity  - composing a theme song for Johnson City Middle School  - has been an educational experience for his school community and received positive press coverage in the Binghamton area.

'Brand new day'

The song, "Welcome Again to a Brand New Day," focuses on themes of friendship, empowerment and continuing a positive atmosphere in the school. It was constructed with input from his colleagues, especially Julie Beard, the school's choir director.

It is played every morning during the school's televised news and announcements.

The school's sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders all had a day in the studio to record their contributions to the song. In an article from the Binghamton Press-Sun-Bulletin that highlighted the song's positive impact throughout the school, Beard noted the value of that learning experience for the students.

• link - with audio

"I asked myself how I could involve the whole faculty in this effort," Buza said. Besides suggestions from colleagues about the instrumental track for the theme and working with teachers who sang on the track, Buza wrote a special "rap and clap" teacher section of the song.

A committed musician who plays instruments from saxophone to flute, clarinet, guitar and piano, Buza finds joy in styles that range from pop to jazz to polka.

"My goal was to make the song as appealing to as many kids as possible, so it includes elements of pop, rock and hip hop," he said.

 - Bernie Mulligan