“My name is Jennis Bunnell and I am in my 20th year of teaching Music at Greater Nanticoke Area School District and am so honored to be selected as Teacher of the Month.

Growing up, our family moved across several states with my father’s job, and with music I could always find a place to connect.  I thank my parents for finding those opportunities to keep me involved.  As a child, music helped me to come out of my shell and feel a sense of confidence in my abilities, helped me to learn to work with others, helped to me to strive to achieve, and gave me so many experiences through festivals, camps, and community ensembles.  I was inspired by the passionate directors that I was fortunate to have, and I wanted to pay it forward by sharing my love of music through teaching.  I attended Mansfield University where I got my Music Education degree and met my husband, Brad.  We moved to the area when my husband was hired as the band director at GNA.  That year, I began co-directing the Marching Band along with him and I was hired as a full-time Music teacher two years later.

During my time at GNA I have taught at every level from K-12, and have spent time as a Marching Band director, Concert Band director, and Chorus director.  I currently teach Elementary music, instrumental lessons, and direct the 4th and 5th grade Chorus.  I love teaching at the elementary level because I can be silly and animated while helping my students to discover all that music has to offer.  My goal is to help them to develop an appreciation for music across all genres.  My students make me feel like a rock star every day.  Even on the days when I am dragging, if I put on my smile and do my thing, the smiles I receive in return never fail to uplift me.

We have been very fortunate to work with administrators, colleagues, and band and chorus parent organizations who have been supportive of our department and are always willing to assist with recruitment and programs.  I am also fortunate to have my husband as a coworker and partner in life.  We get to share our classroom stories with one another.  We have taught in the district long enough now to see our former students thriving in their fields and it is always rewarding to hear what our classes and programs have meant to them.

I would like to encourage our local communities to continue to support arts programs in schools.  It is so disheartening to see cuts and furloughs to the programs that we know first-hand bring so much value the students’ lives.  For many, these groups are what helps them to feel a sense of belonging in their school community.  It is what encourages them to show up to school each day.  My husband and I are raising 3 boys of our own who are all involved in music as well as sports.  We see the value in both and we are glad for our boys to have the balance of both. We have participated in community ensembles with musicians of all backgrounds, career fields, and ages. Music is a gift that can truly last a lifetime.”