This year, Princeton Day School welcomes back a familiar face: Jessica Kunz. After stepping away in 2020 to raise her two children, Ms. Kunz has returned with immense enthusiasm, looking forward to once again teaching mathematics and supporting students on their learning journeys. 

Initially, Ms. Kunz did not plan to become a math teacher. Like many young adults, she was unsure of what she wanted to do following college. It was not until she started substituting at her local high school when everything clicked—she realized teaching was what she was meant to do. Ms. Kunz recalled how she immediately “fell in love with those light bulb moments where the students have when all of a sudden it makes sense that didn’t before.” She described how it was the best feeling to watch students understand math concepts in their own unique ways. 

Prior to her arrival at PDS, Ms. Kunz had the opportunity to teach in a wide variety of places. After earning her teaching certificate, she spent three years teaching in rural Illinois. Following this, she moved to England with her husband, where she taught at an international school for two years. She noted how students from all across the globe came to this school with their own cultures and perspectives, which made this experience particularly special. 

When deciding to return to PDS, it was an easy decision for Ms. Kunz because she has always had a special place in her heart for the community here. After being away from teaching for some time, she shared how much she missed being in the classroom– challenging her students and always encouraging them to push beyond their limits. Ms. Kunz’s main goal as a teacher is to have students “walk out of class in June a much more confident mathematician,” affirming that they are more capable than they may think. She expressed how she has deep empathy for teenagers as she acknowledges it is not easy navigating high school, emphasizing that she will always be there to support them  both as learners and as individuals.