At Victor, Mrs. Dunbar is a familiar face, whether it be from shouting reminders to get to class, cheering on students at after-school Quidditch games, or teaching the intricacies of Biology. But beyond her life as a teacher, she’s a very different person than many might expect.
Growing up, Mrs. Dunbar always dreamed of being a teacher. Between looking out for her younger brother, spending time with kids, and her love for science, it seemed like the perfect fit. Her mother, who worked as a teacher and administrator in the city schools, encouraged her to explore a different path. “She said, ‘No, you can’t be a teacher,’” Mrs. Dunbar recalled, “She wanted me to do something else.”
Hoping to enter the medical or scientific field, Mrs. Dunbar earned her degree from SUNY Geneseo, where she majored in chemistry and minored in biology and computer science. After considering the emotional downsides of the medical profession, she returned to school in Indiana to earn her master’s degree in education. Today, she teaches Biology, Medical Technology, and AP Biology, her newest challenge this year. Science hasn’t always been the case; her background also includes math. “When I was at Arcadia for the first year, I was a math teacher, and I loved it,” she stated. However, when she returned to pursue her teaching degree, she found it easier in science due to her background. Now, after 18 years at Victor, it’s clear she’s much more than just a biology teacher.
When the conversation shifted to pop culture, she laughed, “These are hard questions.” Her personalities and interests are anything but hidden, plastered on the wall, literally. Her classroom is covered with posters, minifigures, and memorabilia from Star Wars or Harry Potter. Her favorite book in the series? “I’d have to say I reread Prisoner of Azkaban probably the most. I think that’s my favorite, I just loved it, and I felt like it was still the middle, so you weren’t too overwhelmed by everything.”
Being a Hufflepuff herself, she takes pride in her loyalty and that of others. As for Star Wars, her opinions lead more towards the dark side. When asked what character she would probably be, she joked with a smile, “Would I be a Jedi? Probably not. I’d probably be a Sith… because they have a red lightsaber, I don’t want a blue one,” she laughed, later comparing herself to Professor McGonagall. After a tangent about using a lightsaber to cut bread and debating which fantasy world she wished were real, we agreed that many of today’s innovations were inspired by Star Wars and Star Trek.
Mrs. Dunbar credits her childhood love of science to the movies she grew up with, especially Back to the Future and Ghostbusters. “Back off, man, I’m a scientist,” she quoted with a grin.
When asked about other fandoms, she admitted she likes to stick to her classics. “I feel like I’m so stuck in my ways,” she said, “I don’t even know what’s new anymore. I want stories about good and evil, like Lord of the Rings; Game of Thrones is too much for me.”
So, whether she’s teaching about cells or striking up a conversation about her favorite fandoms and franchises, Mrs. Dunbar’s passion shines through everything she does. Though she jokes that her classroom is a dictatorship, not a democracy, her leadership is grounded in care and loyalty, just like any true Hufflepuff.
