bio/background. With over a decade of experience teaching and tutoring chemistry, Dunn most recently was a faculty member at a top STEM high school in the U.S., while also serving as an advisor in their science research program. In the program, students competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), including other competitions and showcases, and published in professional academic journals. Prior to that, he was a faculty member and administrator at a number of private boarding and day schools throughout the U.S.. He has held roles such as Dean of Students, Director of Science Research, College Counselor, and Interim Director of Sustainability. He has extensive experience in building inaugural programs and revamping existing ones.
Chemistry is the study of understanding macroscopic phenomena through atomic behavior. It is the essence of keeping an eye on the big picture while attending to the details.
My students know me as a teacher with high expectations but also high support. I expect and want them to do well, but when they do, it is because of their hard work and achievement. I've had extensive experience working with students with learning differences to gifted students, and everything in between.
Regardless of where a student might be in the continuum, I want each person to walk away with a greater understanding of how their world works and new skills that they can apply to something later in life, no matter if they enter into a science field or not.
GROWTH. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as essential to mastery, learn from critical feedback, and find lessons in the success of others because they believe that talent, intelligence, and ability can be developed through effort.
About the molecule above: Methylcyclohexane is an organic compound with the molecular formula is CH₃C₆H₁₁. Classified as saturated hydrocarbon, it is a colorless liquid with a faint odor. It is used as a solvent and it is mainly converted in naphtha reformers to toluene.
BALANCE. A healthy balance of work and care for self is important. Individuals that are healthy --physically and emotionally -- can achieve their highest potential. Valuing wellbeing is part of meeting the high standard of excellence. Equally, it is important to balance biases and influences that can skew perception of situations.
About the molecule above: 1,4-cyclohexadiene is an organic compound with the formula C₆H₈. It is a colorless, flammable liquid that is of academic interest as a prototype of a large class of related compounds called terpenoids.
BELONGING. Work must be done with people that are willing to be part of a group and feel that they belong, not just by label but by culture. A team that comes together in an authentic way, that build an intrinsic energy and motivation produces an outcome that cannot be matched and is bound to grow stronger.
About the molecule above: Cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene, better known as benzene, is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly.