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Louann Dunkle, Excellence in Teaching
Philosophy of Teaching
“Why I am here...
Dear Students,
You are the reason I am here! I make every decision with your best interests in my heart
and mind. Being with each of you every day gives me even more joy than I imagined when I
decided I wanted to be a teacher — when I was younger than you are now. Life took me on a
few different paths, such as motherhood, but I never wavered from my dream of becoming a
teacher.
When I asked you what you thought made me an outstanding teacher, you told me:
- “You make learning fun! We don’t even know we’re learning until we’re done!”
- “You always have a smile on your face and make us feel happy to be at school.”
- “You give us choices that make us feel important.”
- “You never get mad!”
Your responses made me smile and filled my heart with love and joy. What you think really does matter to me!
I have many beliefs about teaching, and what makes me an outstanding teacher. First, I believe your parents and I are a team that works together with the common goal of your success. How fortunate for you that you have two parties that want nothing but the best for you! Another of my beliefs is that you will stretch and grow to the level at which I set for you. With my high academic and behavioral expectations, I see you make every effort to learn more than you possibly thought that you could. Way to go!
One conviction that I hold dear is that building rapport with each of you allows me to meet your academic, social, and emotional needs. I strive to provide you with an environment where you feel safe so that nothing interferes with your ability to learn. While my primary purpose is to teach you what the state of Texas requires, I believe I have a far greater purpose. There is much more to an education than that which we learn in books.
Sometimes, we need to learn about treating each other with respect. Sometimes, we can learn by extending a caring hand to students halfway around the world in Iraq and Afghanistan by sending Victory Boxes filled with school supplies. Sometimes, we can learn how to offer a kind word when a fellow classmate has lost a parent. We encounter many unexpected opportunities to learn life lessons as we navigate our way through the school year together.
Teaching provides me with rewards I never anticipated, and they are more meaningful than I could have ever imagined. Getting to know each of you and your families is a wonderful experience. I love to see you in different settings outside of school. Seeing you play sports, dance in recitals and ballet performances, sing at Rough Riders games, and act in theatrical productions makes me feel as proud as if I were your parent.
The rewards extend far beyond the year we spend together. For example, I recently received a letter from a junior in high school about how I helped to mold his character. Not long ago, I got a hug from a student at Clark Stadium who was so glad to see me after such a long time. The value of these rewards is immeasurable. I feel these rewards keep coming because of the time and effort we spent building a sense of family when we were in our classroom.
I genuinely love each of you for what makes you unique and only you. During our moment of silence, I consciously think about discovering something special about every single one of you every single day. If you are absent, I call your home to check on you and let you know you are missed. When we are apart at breaks, I anxiously look forward to our time together again because I miss you. At the start of every day, I meet you at the door to our classroom with a warm greeting and a smile because... you are why I am here.
Love,
Mrs. Dunkle
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
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MEd., Elementary Education, University of North Texas, Summa Cum Laude, 2002 -
B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Texas Woman’s University, Summa Cum Laude, 1995
Professional Work Experience
- 1998 to Present - 4th grade teacher at Haun Elementary School
- 1999 to Present - Team Leader
- 1996 to 1998 - Substitute teacher at all elementary grade levels
Avon Lake School District, Avon Lake, Ohio
- 1995 to 1996 - 3rd grade teacher at Gulledge Elementary School
Honors & Activities
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Plano ISD Team Leader Academy, Steering Committee Member, invited to be a presenter, 2007 to Present
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Crucial Conversations, Certified Presenter, 2007 to Present
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Plano ISD Trainer for Interurban Railway Museum Field Trip, 2007 to present
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Plano Writing Institute, Fellow - 1999, Presenter - 2002
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University of North Texas - Outstanding Graduate Student in Elementary Education, 2002
- Gulledge Elementary School Beginning Teacher of the Year, 1995-1996
Community Activities
- Habitat fur Humanity of South Collin County
Family Support Committee, 2007 to Present
- The Bells of St. Andrew
St. Andrew Untted Methodist Church, 1993 to Present
School
Principal Recommendation
 It is a joy to write a letter of recommendation for Haun’ s Teacher of the Year, Louann Dunkle, a person I’ve developed a great respect for during the semester I’ve known her. Mrs. Dunkle’s passion and love for students and learning inspires students, her team, our community, and PISD. Mrs. Dunkle is an inspiring leader in her classroom. All students remain engaged and excited about the learning process. They question, justify answers, and are continually challenged throughout the school day.
Louann Dunkle (bottom, left) with teammates (front row, l-r) Melissa Perez and Kathy Podnieks and (back row, l-r) Marilyn Harwell, Madhu Peshwani and Shanin Brevig.
As a fourth grade team leader, she is organized, conscientious and professional. She leads her team to reach excellence in teaching so each fourth grader has unlimited opportunities for growth. Additionally, she leads and collaborates with our staff vertical writing team to align curriculum and develop goals to encourage all Haun students to become prolific writers.
Personally, Mrs. Dunkle impacts our entire staff and community with her positive spirit and enthusiasm. She brings heartfelt smiles and words of encouragement to everyone she meets. I’m so proud she is part of our Haun team. She is a wonderful role model for all the Haun Huskies and is dedicated to helping others, especially children.
Mrs. Dunkle has worked tirelessly with other staff members in the district to create, implement and facilitate the PISD Team Leader Academy. I know her dedication and excitement for this program pervades all who are trained. Additionally, she has received training for Crucial Conversations. Her expertise has been utilized during our PDH trainings this year.
Each day, Mrs. Dunkle represents a lifelong learner, demonstrates genuine compassion and displays integrity in all her endeavors. It is a joy and an honor to write a letter recommending her as our Teacher of the Year.
Sincerely,
Jayne Smith
Principal, Haun Elementary School
E-mail congrats to Louann Dunkle
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