Glad I got the opportunity to interview with Mr. Dunham, since he’s retiring soon, and he’s been an amazing teacher/IB Coordinator for us students.
Note: His responses to these questions are written in a rough note format as a paraphrase.
1. When did you start teaching? And what was the turning point in your life that made you want to go into teaching?
Started in 1998, 29 years total. When he was around 30-31, he started his career later than others. During high school, he took an interest in creative writing as a senior, winning a contest and an English Department Award. A contributing turning point in his life was during his time at Binghamton University as a theatre major. His acting workshop took place in the bleachers, and he was introverted and felt unqualified to be there. The professor called him out for a stiff neck. Being singled out, he wanted to quit. Walked directly from his first class freshman spring, to the registrar’s office, changing his major to English really quickly.
2. Have you always taught at Vestal? Have you taught in other districts?
He worked as dean of students at Unadilla Valley Central School, working with student discipline and assigning kids detentions. Initially taught at 7th grade in 1998, Middle School 7A.
3. What is different about teaching now than when you first started? Is there anything that is better now than when you began?
Students aren’t that much different. Tech is different, though. Electronically shared documents make life easier.
4. What is your favorite thing about teaching? Least favorite?
His favorite thing about teaching is getting to know students as writers/thinkers. He is fascinated by the different alternative ideas they might suggest. Same materials, different perspectives. His least favorite thing is that grading can be difficult, assessing work through writing quality. Outside of school hours, he works hard to ensure great quality.
5. What is one thing you would like students to know about yourself?
Tennis, 25 years ago played daily, passionately loved it, and professional games followed closely. Tennis can be a metaphor for life– progression and love of the game. Wants to be a professional tennis coach since he is a good analyst.
6. You’ve played a big role in VHS graduation ceremonies over the years. Would you mind talking about your role and what that meant to you?
Superintendent just happened to ask him one day if he wanted to read the names at graduation. 6-7 years as a tradition, and he really enjoyed it.
7. You were the AP/IB Coordinator at VHS. What did that job entail?
Passionate about the program, teaching IB English since he came to VHS in 2003 (23 yrs.). IB philosophy, diploma kids, CAS, testing.
8. Did you get any good advice when you started teaching? What advice would you give to new teachers?
Working on lesson plans was challenging. His student-teacher coordinator asked him, “What do you want students to know?” Suggesting the idea of working backwards, he developed those lesson plans and shaped the proper direction towards them.
9. Do you have any advice for students going into college and careers, or life in general?
“Find something that you’re truly passionate about in a career”, or find a career that doesn’t feel like work. He gives an example to an IT guy he knew and waits in his car, not a minute late or early. Clock in, and clock out. But Dunham looks at it differently, wants to be early, and has lots to do that he does enjoy. Does things not based on what the clock says, but on what he wants to do on his own agenda.
10. How would you describe your feelings leading up to retirement? What words come to mind?
No sense of hurry. Mixed feelings of “I enjoyed my time” and “there’s more I can do”. Words that come to mind are “Peace, Calm, Choices, Vision (for the rest of one’s life), TRANSCENDENCE– what more can one experience in the human experience?”
