By Mary Ann Zyglocke

Photo credit: Collegiate School.

Former Middle School history teacher, coach, and Dean of Students Jeff Dunnington (‘01) is the new Head of Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year. Dunnington moved to the position after the former Head of Middle School, Tung Trinh, was appointed Dean of Faculty for the whole school. 

Dunnington attended Collegiate for 13 years before attending Sewanee: The University of the South and Virginia Commonwealth University, later returning to Collegiate as a Middle School history teacher. He has also coached many teams at Collegiate, including boys soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and golf. He is starting his 17th year at Collegiate as a faculty member, and he is excited about his new position. 

Dunnington said he wanted to become an administrator to have more of a “full school view.” He wanted to be able to work with students, teachers, parents, admissions, and development, as well as members of both the Lower and Upper Schools. While he enjoyed being in the classroom, and hopes he can return in the future, he is looking forward to taking on this larger role in the Middle School and the Collegiate community. 

Dunnington at his desk. Photo credit: Laura Zyglocke.

Any new job comes with its challenges. Dunnington said that his greatest challenge will be “learning the new job,” but he is thankful that he already has a strong foundation in the Collegiate community to make the transition easier. Adapting to this new position is one of his main goals for this school year, and he said “It’s something that I’m comfortable with, but it’s definitely new.”

His passion for Middle school is apparent. Dunnington has worked with middle school-age students since he was 16 years old, and he said that this was one reason why he loves working in the Middle School. In high school, he worked as a camp counselor for 11-year-olds at Camp Virginia, a former boys summer camp popular in the Collegiate community. He said he enjoys working with middle schoolers because “it’s an age where things are fun, and you are helping shape the kids.” Mistakes can be made without significant consequences, and kids are able to learn and move on from their mistakes easily.

This school year, Dunnington is looking forward to putting together Middle School assemblies and bringing in guest speakers. Because Dunnington was a member of the Middle School faculty before becoming Head of Middle School, he has already worked with many of the teachers, but he is excited to help them in a different capacity. Dunnington also mentioned his excitement for attending different Middle School events. He said, “Part of my goal is to be out, going to as many Cub events as I possibly can, and being able to see the kids playing or being able to go to the concerts and other things like that.”

Dunnington’s goal for the new school year is to create a strong sense of community in the Middle School. He wants to have a “culture of people having each other’s back;” a place where 8th Graders will talk to 5th and 6th Graders in the halls, and a place where everyone encourages and uplifts each other. He wants to create a supportive and inclusive environment within the Middle School community, as well as a space where students can learn and be focused while still having fun and enjoying school. 

One challenge Dunnington will face this year is learning how to use new technologies, including artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT. This is a challenge many teachers and administrators are facing right now nationwide. He said that he wants to learn how to “utilize these tools in a responsible way.” They are powerful, and everyone is trying to figure out how to use them effectively. Dunnington has said that the Middle School values learning, growing, and thinking independently, but these tools are available and can be helpful. The challenge is discovering how to use technology well without abusing it. Dunnington is eager to lead the Middle School, and he is looking forward to a great school year.