In 1965, two women met by chance at a State College grocery store. Gwen Bunnell and Linda Domin realized they had a connection: Gwen’s father had been Linda’s father’s professor at pharmacy school. From this fateful meeting, a friendship bloomed and has lasted for more than 60 years through the founding of a successful local preschool program and their individual teaching careers. Today, the Education Foundation is honored to recognize these friends and exceptional educators who have made a lasting and important impact on so many young lives.
“I am nominating these two together as they are two peas in a pod, best friends, and began sharing their gift of loving and educating thousands of children in our community, together!” said Gwen’s daughter Carol, herself a retired SCASD educator who taught kindergarten at Radio Park Elementary.
Combined, Gwen and Linda boast over 50 years of teaching experience. Now, at 93 (Gwen) and 85 (Linda), they still share detailed memories and recall their teaching days as the best times of their lives.
Their shared journey began when Gwen and Linda helped Betty Dashbach open a nursery school called Jack & Jill in State College. Gwen and Linda served as teachers, each having the other’s son as a student. After working at Jack & Jill, the two “nursery school pioneers” approached the pastor and other elders at Grace Lutheran Church where their families attended, with plans to open a school. In 1966, with approval and $50 from the church, Grace Lutheran Nursery School opened.
A Centre Daily Times article from 2016 recognizing the 50th anniversary of the school, now called Grace Lutheran Preschool, said Gwen and Linda strived for their school to be “a hub for physical, social, emotional, and spiritual development” for its young students. The school and its founding philosophy continue to thrive today.
After her years at Grace Lutheran, Gwen embraced the opportunity to begin a long and storied career with SCASD at various schools before making Corl Street Elementary her home school. And “home” it truly was. Gwen viewed the staff, her fellow teachers, and her students as family.
In 1974, Linda joined SCASD, too, pouring her heart, soul, and expertise into teaching kindergarten at Lemont Elementary. In 2002, she was honored as Teacher of the Year by State College Magazine. She retired later that year.
“Between the two of them, they have touched the lives of so many people in our community—their students, students’ families, and colleagues,” Carol said. “I have never heard or read a negative word about either of them, just one accolade after another. Gwen is my mother, and Linda is like a second mother to me. I couldn’t let another year go by without nominating them, knowing there is no one more deserving.”
“They are two of the most dedicated, caring, genuine educators and people you could meet,” she continued. “Suffice it to say, these ladies went beyond anything expected of a teacher. The hours, the creativity, the love, the new programs and units they wrote and introduced to other teachers far and wide—it is truly phenomenal. We get together with other teachers regularly and every conversation leads back to the joy these two shared as teachers in our district.”
