Carbondale, IL – On Thursday, March 28th, 2024 the Carbondale Elementary School District #95 Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of longtime district educator Jennifer Bunton, as Carbondale Middle School’s Assistant Principal.
A lifelong resident of Southern Illinois, Bunton hails from Sesser and has lived in Jackson County since 2008 with her husband and children. Her passion for education led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in Special Education from Southern Illinois University in 2006. Demonstrating her commitment to growth, she recently returned to SIU and completed her Master's in Educational Administration in 2024.
Having a career spanning over two decades in education, Bunton brings a wealth of experience to her role as assistant principal. Her diverse career includes roles as a teacher, paraprofessional, and custodian in local schools. For the past seven years, she's been a special education teacher within our district, and the CMS special education team lead for the last four years. Her experiences give her a unique perspective - one that encompasses the various needs of students, staff, and the school community.
Bunton's vision centers around creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where every student can flourish. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between staff, students, families, and the community. She believes that a successful school environment is built on the collective effort of all stakeholders working together to inspire a love of learning in our students. She is looking forward to increasing collaboration between students, staff, parents, and community stakeholders in her new role at Carbondale Middle School to help students increase learning opportunities in all areas.