“It’s absolutely outstanding,” said Bunn when asked how it feels. “You know, we all have dreams. Sometimes, we’re able to fulfill those dreams. This certainly is a dream of mine to serve and give back what was given to me.”
It’s a homecoming not only for Bunn but for his wife, Jennifer. She graduated from NRHEG in 1991 and, starting this fall, will teach fourth grade at NRHEG. Her parents, Donna and Gordon Hanson, live in rural New Richland. Bunn’s parents, Merrill and Bea Bunn, live in town. And there are plenty of family members in the area.
David and Jennifer were high school sweethearts, married in 1996 by Pastor Paul Andree at Trinity Lutheran in New Richland. They have twin sons, Payton and Parker, 8. A daughter, Sofia, 2 ½, was adopted from Columbia.
Bunn returns to New Richland from Prescott, Wis., where he served as principal for five years. Prior to that he taught at Park of Cottage Grove for eight years, serving as head wrestling coach for five years and assistant principal for three.
“I told the Prescott Superintendent, ‘I’ll probably only leave for one job’ — and this was it. I’m not one to move around a lot. It’s not something I particularly want to do. For our kids, this is a good time for them to move. Everything worked out real well.”
In high school, Bunn earned 10 varsity letters in football, wrestling and track and field. He wrestled in the state tournament as a senior under recently retired principal/coach Paul Cyr. Jennifer was a cheerleader.
It was during a Christmas break during college that Bunn decided he wanted to pursue a career in education.
“We were at my aunt Kathryn Bunn’s house,” he said. “She taught school for 43 years, starting in a country school. I noticed she had all these Christmas cards, a lot of them from former students. I was amazed at some of the things they wrote and how appreciative they were, how much of an impact she had on those kids, and the sheer number over the years. That’s when I decided the education route is where I wanted to head.”
Landing in New Richland and succeeding Cyr is, as Bunn stated, a dream come true.
“I feel very honored,” he said. “Paul Cyr certainly had a lot influence on my life. A lot of my drive and determination comes from wrestling, his influence. He taught us not to quit, to work harder than the rest of the people and good things will happen.”
Aside from riding his 2004 Harley Davidson Electraglide, most of Bunn’s free time is, of course, spent with family. He also enjoys technology — iPads, iPhones, computers in general.
He and Jennifer are living with her parents until they can move into a house just north of Hartland.
What does Bunn hope to accomplish at NRHEG?
“Obviously, in my opinion, it’s already a great school system,” said Bunn. “I went through it, I experienced it. I want my kids to experience the same. I want to enhance what’s already in place. I want to provide an atmosphere that gets kids college or career ready, make sure they have the skills to be successful.”
As Bunn looks around his office, it’s clear he feels at ease.
“When I went to Prescott, I knew basically one family there,” he said. “I come back here, the community has been very welcoming. It means a lot to me. I appreciate the great homecoming and enthusiasm and it certainly is reciprocated. It truly is an honor to be chosen to be here.”
