Bringing the wide world to Sisters High School

Sisters High School's new social studies teacher Scott Buchanan traveled the world as a 20-year air force cargo pilot and flight instructor.

"Coming back here has just been blessed," he said.

Buchanan is combining his extensive travel experience, his love of history, and his love of teaching into what in his words is "a job I always knew that I would be doing."

Raised in Bend, Scott graduated from Bend High School in 1983. He took a degree in history while completing his ROTC training. It was then off to the Air Force flight school for a 20-year career of flying cargo planes to adventures around the world.

"If I have a gift, it is in telling these guys why (history) is important," he said. "I know kids. I know how they work. I know how to connect with them. That part is a natural for me. 'Why does it matter?' they ask ... because that is the world you are living in today, and you are going to be dealing with these people for the rest of your lives.

"I get a lot of great feedback from them; 'Gosh, we have never had a history class like this before.' I make it relevant."

While developing a specialty in low-altitude air drops and training others to fly, Buchanan lived in New Jersey, Texas (several times), Washington state, and California. His flight assignments took him to just about every country in the world. One assignment involved ferrying nuclear inspection teams in and out of Moscow, while it was still the USSR, and taking his layovers in KGB hotels. He even once hauled out a Soviet missile for display in the Smithsonian Museum.

During the Kosovo crisis he was assigned to Joint Task Force Shining Hope as an operations officer in charge of bringing in and setting up tents and refugee centers for fleeing Muslims.

"One of the great joys I had was working for President Clinton for awhile," said Buchanan. "Clinton was under a great deal of pressure at the time, and he personally flew over for briefings. If you think going to the Principal's office is tough," he tells his students, "try telling the President of the United States face-to-face why you are behind schedule."

Buchanan spent his last five years in the Air Force doing remote aerial reconnaissance as a general's aide at Beale Air Force base in California. His boss, General Gentile, is now running drones in Afghanistan from that base.

Scott retired from the Air Force in 2008 and returned to OSU, getting a bachelor's and master's degree in education. He taught half a year at Bend High School before coming to Sisters this fall.

Buchanan is a private pilot and a white-water river guide. He also loves to bicycle, ski and backpack. He reads voraciously. He is divorced, with three kids now in college.

"I am thrilled to be here. Central Oregon is in my blood," he said.