From demonstrating labs and chaperoning annual Great America field trips to reading countless Claim-Evidence-Reasoning  paragraphs, physics teacher Laurie Pennington  has been a pillar in the Gunn science community since 1993.

Outside her classroom, as an outlet for community engagement with youth and her colleagues, Pennington has participated in  multiple choir-staff musicals.
“I think the thing I enjoy about all of the choir shows is that we have hardly any practice, and we get it together at the end,” she said. “It’s always fun, and it’s really great to be on stage with the students and see them in a different light.”

Throughout her decades teaching, Pennington has observed shifts — not only in curriculum and technology, but also in how students approach learning.

“One of the things I’ve noticed in recent years is that students feel they just have to ‘do school,’” she said. “Some, especially with AI, try to figure out the system to get through it rather than focusing on what they’re supposed to learn or  enjoying the process. More and more, school  feels like a hurdle they need to clear just to reach the next step.”

Pennington sees differences in learning as opportunities for growth, both for students and for educators. She credits her colleagues for  helping her navigate obstacles, working together to help adapt and better the science department.

“Most of the challenges we’ve met while I’ve been here have been great learning experiences,” she said. “(These challenges) push us to do better in the future, to really consider what we’re teaching and how we’re supporting students, instead of just teaching what we think is great.”

As a teacher for over 30 years, Pennington’s personal teaching philosophy is anchored with her commitment to ensuring her students leave the classroom with confidence to take on what comes next, whether it be a worksheet on Newton’s Laws or the next chapter of their lives.

“My main job isn’t necessarily teaching physics — though I expect them to learn it,” she said.  “My main job is to make sure that when they leave my classroom, they have the confidence to move on. I really appreciate the relationships
I’ve had with students over the years because of that.

In 1994, English teacher Paul Dunlap stepped onto the Gunn campus excited to begin his firstteaching job. 32 years and 14 different English courses later, he has become a staple in both the English department and the school community.

“I knew I wanted to do something with my life that was more than just about me, that I  wanted to help people somehow,” he said. “English felt enjoyable, so I thought if I could find a way to show people what I love about reading and writing, that’s what I should do with my life.”

Throughout his career, Dunlap’s teaching philosophy has stemmed from the advice of one of his mentors from his early days at Gunn: “Being a good teacher is idiosyncratic.” Dunlap has experienced this first hand in the classroom, always showing his authentic self, no matter what.

“I’m not afraid to laugh at myself,” he said. “I’m not afraid to challenge people’s ideas or to have mine challenged. The best compliment I got from a student was (that) ‘other teachers talk at us, (but) you talk with us,’ and that I think is (what I) try to bring to the class.”

For Dunlap, one of his favorite parts of his job is assisting and observing as students participate in exploration.

“I love facilitating discovery (and) I love setting the situation where people can enter into risk, have conversation and learn some things,” he  said. “You’re at the perfect age to test boundaries, to try new things (and) to challenge authority.”

Through efforts such as daily thankfulness practices and being the advisor for ROCK, a mental health awareness club, Dunlap strives to  equip his students with the tools to positively shift the community.

“When people talk about the Palo Alto bubble and they express some shame, I say, ‘No shame, you’re just starting a little ahead of others, and because of that, you can help others.’ Use your privilege to help others.”

After all of Dunlap’s years of teaching, connecting with students and giving back to the community remains the highlight of his time at Gunn.

“I had some mentors who I knew understood me and challenged me in the best ways, and I think that’s really valuable to have an adult who believes in me,” he said. “So, (I hope) I can do that to other people too.”

The choir room has welcomed generations of students over the years, but one figure has remained a steady presence: choir director and music theory teacher Bill Liberatore. Now in his 37th year at Gunn, the school has shaped much of who he is.

“I did step away for one year (to conduct musicals in San Jose), but I knew after a month that I had done the wrong thing,” he said. “For the rest of my teaching career, I never doubted that (Gunn) is where I wanted to be.”

Whether he’s guiding students to discover their musical abilities or organizing performances with a large group of students, Liberatore finds fulfillment in the everyday meaningful moments.

“It’s the day-to-day things that make you feel like coming back the next day,” he said. “The rewards are constant. When you’re able to show students that they’re capable of more than they imagined before, that’s pretty rewarding. (Likewise), when you can corral a whole bunch of kids together into one piece of creative expression that really works, that’s pretty rewarding.”

Supporting students goes both ways: Liberatore has also received aid from the community, helping him bring larger projects to life. When he organizes big international events or trips every year, such as the Choir Spring Tour,the  support makes them feasible.

“I could do these big musicals or big international trips, and the community really supported me when I needed to raise money for  kids who couldn’t travel,” he said. “I felt very supported here.”

Although 37 years’ worth of special memories makes it difficult for Liberatore to choose just one, a favorite was when the choir visited the New York Heritage Festival.

“I have too many,” he said. “But last spring was a great memory. We sang at a festival in New York, and the judges were so blown away by the choir’s performance. I’ll remember that for a long time.”

Ultimately, if there’s a single constant that’s kept Liberator at Gunn for nearly four decades, it’s the students who have anchored him here.

“I was lucky to get here and stay here,” he said. “Who wouldn’t stay in a school district with these kinds of students? It’s the kids that make it (worthwhile).”