From the fall 2008 issue of UConn Momentum
For fifth-year Neag School of Education student Katy Yates, her summer study abroad experience in Spain is just one asset she brings to her work with Latino students at East Hartford High School. That travel, supported by a 2007 scholarship from Robert E. ’51 (M.A.) ’55 (Ph.D.) and Gladys B. Dunn, taught the aspiring teacher the value of immersing herself in other cultures. With an eye on a career in bilingual education, she says firsthand experiences like hers are critical to relating with America’s increasingly diverse student population.
“I think teachers should have a global perspective, especially in urban school environments where you often teach students from around the world,” Yates says. “We need to embrace and understand that diversity in the classroom.”
Those sentiments are in line with the strong interests of the Dunns, who have traveled to more than 100 countries. The couple has now added to their support of global studies with a new major planned gift.
A former principal of William H. Hall High School in West Hartford and a lifelong educator, Robert Dunn says the lessons learned by the couple’s travels have demonstrated the importance of education worldwide, which they think pays great dividends for American students studying abroad.
“You can immediately see the respect that is extended to education by families around the world,” he says. “Especially for education students, it’s so important to gain those lessons, participate in opportunities to enrich their own learning, and make lasting friendships across cultures. You can’t really duplicate the experience through book learning alone. You have to be a part of it.”
Dean Richard Schwab of the Neag School notes that providing that global perspective remains a high priority for the school and the greater University.
“Our students will find themselves teaching in a world that is remarkably different from even a few years ago,” he says. “It’s our goal to expose our education students to many experiences that they can then bring to the classroom. The support of the Dunns inspires us and allows us to take their vision of a truly global education and bring it to fruition.”
Gladys Dunn enjoyed a long career as an elementary teacher in West Hartford and as a guidance counselor at King Philip Middle School. With her husband, she also served five years as an administrator of the Seoul International School in South Korea.
“It was refreshing to see the priority given to education by Korean parents. Affluent or not, they arranged for extra tutoring, music and art lessons for their children,” she says. “There was an emphasis placed on all school activities.”
Robert Dunn says the couple is impressed that UConn has identified study abroad and global studies as priorities, and they see great potential ahead.
“We admire the University’s efforts to allow more students to study abroad. We met Katy Yates recently, and she really put a face on what all of this is about. Studying abroad brings everything down to the personal level, and we’re happy to help provide that experience for as many students as we can.”
For more information about supporting the Neag School of Education, please contact the UConn Foundation's development department.
