Faculty Feature: David Ryan Bunting '07, Instructor of Education
Tell us about yourself!
I am originally from New Orleans, La. (Geaux Saints and LSU Tigers!) In 2007, I graduated from W&J with a bachelor's degree in child development and education and later pursued my master's degree in education at Christian Brothers University.
I've been teaching at W&J since 2016, following a nearly decade-long career as a fourth and fifth-grade elementary teacher at Central Day School in Collierville, TN, and Washington Park Elementary School, in Washington, Pa. Beyond the classroom, I proudly wear the hat of the current boy's basketball varsity head coach at Washington High School. Let's go Prexies!
I’ve also worked at the Lemoyne Community Center for over 10 years. Here, my role as one of the directors of the Camp Challenge summer program has allowed me to contribute to a co-ed premier day camp, spanning eight weeks and operating five days per week. Camp Challenge serves under-resourced youth and offers a variety of activities encompassing the arts, education, recreation, life-skills, and more.
I am also on several boards and committees including the Healing-Empowerment-Advocacy-Learning-Prevention-Action (HEAL PA) informed Pennsylvania leadership team (education subcommittee), the Kingsley Association board, the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania board, and the Integrated Services and Solutions board.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love playing a small part in the positive development of hundreds of pre-k to 12th-grade students. W&J's education program helps to produce some of the most premier teachers and administrators in the country and, who in turn, have positively influenced students for decades. We are blessed to have phenomenal students who are extremely intelligent, have incredible work ethic, and who positively impact children daily. It is humbling to wake up each day knowing that I have the pleasure of teaching students who share my passion for helping young people and who have decided to share their creativity, their selflessness, and their hearts with children.
How did attending W&J influence your career path? Was it always your goal to work in education?
W&J had an incredible influence on my career path. I originally pursued the pre-med path because I was pretty good at biology, but I quickly discovered that I wasn’t very good at collegiate chemistry. In the fall semester of my sophomore year, I considered becoming a biology teacher. So, I took my first education class, which included an internship, and I fell in love with the entire experience. That first internship helped me discover that I enjoyed teaching elementary-aged children more than secondary. The following spring, I declared child development and education as my major. Because W&J is a liberal arts institution, I was still able to graduate and get certified as a kindergarten to 6th-grade teacher in four years.
Another influential component of the College were my education professors. Dr. Longo and Dr. Carpenter were incredibly strict, sincere, and passionate about the instructing and the development of teachers. They had great pride and respect for the profession and instilled those same qualities into me. I’ll be forever grateful to them!
What are some fun facts about you?
In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities. Attending athletic events, concerts, and comedy shows tops my list, as does hitting the gym to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A unique passion of mine lies in competing in body building competitions, specifically as a men's physique competitor. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to win a couple of competitions and am looking forward to my next show.
Apart from body building, I also enjoy whitewater rafting. Despite finding myself in the water 50 percent of the time during the four occasions I've gone, the thrill keeps drawing me back - I must be a glutton for punishment! I’m also a "foodie" and enjoy trying different foods and experiencing new restaurants. My favorite dish of all time is crawfish etouffee!
Anything else you'd like W&J alumni to know about you?
Staying connected with alumni and hearing about their experiences is something I really enjoy! Please keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing.
W&J professors love hearing from their former students. To contact Ryan Bunting, email him at dbunting@washjeff.edu.