Lauren Fracassa ’22

Born in Coldspring, New York, and growing up in the Hudson Valley, Dr. Dunn is much more than a teacher, but someone who pursues there interests and follows their dreams. Finding his way to Rhode Island through his Grandparents who retired to Portsmouth, this state was his second home; most summers spent at Aquidneck Island. Throughout his early years, Doctor Dunn found his love for chemistry along with math, for this was what he eventually majored and minored in at Marist College, New York. While pursuing a career in chemistry, he also worked at Brown University and did research on lithium ion batteries in the engineering department.

Doctor Dunn soon after discovered La Salle, and instantly knew it was the place to stay. He loved the togetherness of the community, along with the great deal of respect everyone has for each other. Teaching is not easy though, but he has the support of his mother and the La Salle community. Doctor Dunn also mention how a bioethics course, taken his senior year, talked about the skills teachers need in disseminating information so that it can encourage students to grow. The conversations in class included controversial topics such as abortion and stem cell research. Even though it really wasn’t a teaching class or chemistry, it was a class that taught ethics.

Today, one of the biggest challenges Doctor Dunn faces while teaching is how everyone wants everything in the blink of an eye. Computers are one of the main problems, which to a degree are great,  but students do not have to concentrate on what things means and the fundamentals, if they can just look it up a few seconds. He comments, “The thing that is hard for a teacher to overcome is how students only focus on using a device, while not focusing on expanding their vocabulary and mind.” This is why in his class he tries to give assignments that involve a ton of problem solving, with a lot of strategy behind it. One skill students need to learn not just in chemistry, he believes, is the ability to not expect the answers to be given to you. You have to strategize, and the assignments he gives push the students to try to figure it out themselves. Doctor Dunn tries to guide his students so that they understand without him just giving the answers.

Aside from teaching, liked mentioned before, Doctor Dunn pursues other interests he has. He loves to run and spend time with his two-year old daughter and wife. Baseball and football are a big part of his life as well, him being a Yankee and 49ers fan. What I found to be interesting though, was his love for backyard astronomy. If you have an interest to look and talk about the stars, keep posted for Mr. Lakeland and Doctor Dunn are trying to form an astronomy club; anyone is welcome!

And for anyone who is in/ will possibly be in Dr. Dunn’s class know this, “Do not memorize your way through chemistry, you will lose.”