As a teenager, Aurora native Brian Hunger landed his first summer job coaching kids and organizing activities for youngsters attending day camp at the Fox Valley Park District. It was there, working with his favorite middle school teacher, Rick Albright, Hunger made a career choice.
“I was working on the playground as his assistant,” Hunger said. “He inspired me to want to be a teacher because I could see how much joy he had through teaching. We had fun every day and it never seemed like a job.”
More than four decades later, Hunger is still having fun at Highlands Elementary School in Naperville. And while a lot has changed since he started his career, some things remain the same.
“Kids want someone to respect them, someone to have fun with them and someone to care about them,” Hunger said. “As much as things have changed (over the years), a lot is still the same.”
We sat down with Hunger, a proud father of three and new grandfather, to learn more.
What and where do you teach? Fifth-grade at Highlands Elementary School in Naperville. I am also the junior varsity softball coach at Naperville North High School.
How long have you been teaching? 36 years, 23 at Highlands.
What degree do you have? Bachelor’s degree from St. Xavier University and master’s from Northern Illinois University .
Do you have a favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was Rick Albright from Franklin Middle School (in Aurora). We still stay in touch through Facebook.
What was your best subject in school? Social studies.
In hindsight, what’s the one thing you wish you’d done when you were a student? I wish I had done more than play sports.
What’s the best part about being a teacher? The interaction with the students and watching them discover their potential.
What advice would you give to a new teacher? Continue to learn and model learning to your students.
What’s a perfect school day like? Workout before school, stop at Harner’s (Bakery), have students working in groups and sharing their projects; total engagement and organized chaos.
How has school changed over the years? Schools are so much better now because we teach the process of learning better than we used to. Technology makes that so much easier.
What do you like to do in your free time? Spend time with my wife, Laura, go see our 4-week-old granddaughter, Clara, work out, play golf and read.
Do you have a favorite book/author? I think someone who doesn’t get enough credit is Russell Freedman. He writes photo-biographies on famous Americans and they are fantastic. He writes so kids can understand and is one of my favorite nonfiction authors for fifth-graders.
What would someone be surprised to learn about you? I would rather see a play than see a sporting event live.
Do you have a favorite play? “Hamilton.” I have seen it three times and I would go again tomorrow if I could. It still amazes me.
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What are three words that best describe you? Fun, passionate, caring.
Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.