Southern Schools

Greetings everyone, My name is Jeff Tunink. While my official title is 7-12 Science Educator, I prefer to think of myself as a storyteller and someone who brings humor and curiosity to our school district. I want my students to know that each and every day I treat our students with respect and offer them kindness and opportunities to grow. I also place them in situations where they have choices and consequences and model the same decisions and consequences to them through my words and actions. If needed, you may always contact me at jtunink@southernschools.org with any questions or concerns. I will do my very best to return a thoughtful answer or explanation of my methodology. I have a well-rounded Science background. I attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for my Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences. I received this degree in the spring of 2005. After deciding on a route in Science Education, I began my pursuit of my Master's Degree in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education. I received my Master's in the summer of 2014 after a 3-year break to begin my teaching career here at Southern. Southern has been my first and only teaching job. I have been a science teacher at Southern since 2010(15 years!). I have an extensive background in working with students of all ages. I was a Before and After school leader for 2 years in Lincoln at an elementary school. I worked at a summer camp for elementary students for one year in Lincoln. I was a YMCA summer camp leader for the first 7 summers I was teaching at Southern. I am also the head of the Student Council. I am a father to two lovely girls, Leena(age 15) and Sophia(age 12). They are my world and I enjoy watching them dance, sing, and act. As for myself, I am an avid hiker and nature enthusiast. I am interested in video games, and TV shows that involve sci-fi or action. I enjoy movies that range from rom-com to mystery. I play many sports, but golf is probably my favorite. I love a good book and I enjoy reading comics. I love to draw and write stories. I believe in kindness, honesty, equity, open-mindedness, skepticism, discussion, and doing whatever I can to help those I care about. I love what I do for a living and hope every day that I make a difference to at least one person.