Steve Bunovsky, a Nonnewaug history teacher of twenty-four years, always understands. Whether it’s in the classroom or in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club, Bunovsky is consistently there to lend a helping hand.
Even outside of school and in the Woodbury community, Bunovsky constantly shows a smiley personality towards anyone he sees, no matter the place he’s in.
“I live in town, both my kids went here. I actually got to teach both my kids, which was an interesting experience,” says Bunovsky. “And I like being part of the community and you know, running into the kids and parents in stores and stuff like that. And being a sort of fixture in the town.”
But especially in the classroom, Bunovsky is known to be an understanding and helpful teacher in every way.
“Mr. B really tries to engage with the students. No matter what he does he always tries to make class entertaining for the kids,” says Charlotte Medonis, a freshman in Bunovsky’s World History class. “He really does engage and just lets kids kind of say their own opinions and speak freely about the subject.”
Bunovsky’s class is not just lectures. At any given moment, during any type of assignment or class, Bunovsky can be found engaging and connecting with his students in a positive and helpful way.
“Like today, we just watched a video, but even though we watched a video, after the video, he asked us what we thought about it and talked with us about what we learned,” Medonis adds.
In addition to his help in the classroom, Bunovsky also mentors FCA.
“It [mentoring FCA] allows me to see another side of the students that most teachers don’t get to see which is, like, their spiritual side,” Bunovsky says.
Members of FCA feel comfortable sharing their own opinions, ideas, and stories in the club when Bunovsky is there. More than that, he shares first when people do feel uncomfortable and opens up different gateways for when people share out during the time that FCA meets.
“It’s nice that a teacher, like, actually understands us and is willing to participate in our activities during FCA,” says sophomore and FCA member Jocelyn McDougall.
But what many might not think about is Bunovsky’s true enjoyment in mentoring FCA and helping students to come out of their ‘spiritual shell’.
“Kids become very different in that sort of [spiritual] environment that you sometimes see in the classroom,” Bunovsky adds. “I’m always glad to see a student, you know, rocking the cross [necklace].”
Overall, Bunovsky is one of those teachers that is able to understand students in any type of environment presented to him.
“I’ve always liked history, and it’s always been my favorite subject, but Mr. B. really takes the time to sit and talk to me, and sometimes I’ll even stay after class and go over the subject again with him,” adds Medonis. “He truly is one of those teachers that you can talk to and learn so many things from.”
