Founder's Design Method & Philosophy
You are the Architect of your Life; Time to Design your Future
Dunson Designs for Education offer services to support families navigating the often- overwhelming task of preparing their student for life through and beyond high school. These programs will teach students to understand how the design of one's life depends on each and every decision that is made.
Navigating the College Process & Embracing the Future is our first program to launch in the summer of 2023!
The Dunson Design method is the first step in constructing a strong foundation and framework for success, empowering students with resources, knowledge, and tools to walk through the college process & to create a purposeful life. Etched in our work is the ethos: You are the Architect of your life!
The philosophical core of Dunson Designs for Education
Change the Metaphor; Change a life.
In the words of education reformer, Sir Ken Robinson, "The traditional educational paradigm is rooted in a limited perception of intelligence and creativity. It is time to forge a new conceptual framework, one that breathes life into education, making it relevant, invigorating, and profoundly effective."
Inspired by Sir Robinson’s challenge, I created a distinctive blueprint for learning—Dunson Design framework is anchored in the principles of architecture and design.
Whether it is guidance through the college process or ongoing educational counseling, the client will be taught how to ultimately Design a Life of Merit and Vibrancy.
Plato eloquently stated, “Education is the architecture of the soul.” These words are at the core of my work. Beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge and skills, students can to be taught how to understand the patterns and systems that spiral through their lives.
I am poised to leverage years of experience, a robust knowledge base and my reputation into the private sector.
About The founder
Donna Dunson, Founder of Dunson Designs
- A bit of background; I had the good fortune to grow up on the lakes in Winter Haven; I left to attend college at University of West Florida and received a BA & MA. I taught English, journalism, and history before I became the founder the IB program at Pensacola High. Subsequently, I became Head of Upper School at Atlanta International School and, then, held a Head of School position at Ross School in East Hampton, NY, before returning to Polk County. These experiences certainly shaped my work with Lake Wales Charter System.
I have been fortunate to be surrounded by amazing educators throughout my career. My focus has been designing educational communities where all students and educators can flourish. Strong background in building schools from the ground up and transforming existing schools by redesigning the culture and climate leading to increase in academic achievement and behavior.The most recent examples: Bok Academy & Lake Wales High School.
After over 30 years of experience, I am shifting the focus from school design and management to guiding individual students through the college process and assisting students with general educational needs. I have guided hundreds of students through the college process and have also taught the skills that will foster growth in emotional intelligence. This method involves a shift in thinking; the shift is to begin to think like an architect and design your life.
Experience Highlights
- Washington Post named LWHS one of the top performing high schools in the US over 5 years in a row.
- Designing and Building Edward W. Bok Academy middle school; considered one of the best in Florida.
- Redesigning Lake Wales High School that led to the increase of graduation rate from 70%-96% and created a vibrant culture. Increased the percentage of students attending college from 45% to 85%. Increased the number career academies.
- Created Keystone, a curriculum framework using the metaphor of design and architecture to change the culture and climate of a school and increase academic performance and improved behavior. Created Keystone Vocabulary
- Designed and Implemented 3 International Baccalaureate Programs in the US.
- Elected to the International Baccalaureate Governing Board & Heads of School Committee for 6 years.
- Elected President of the Florida League of IB schools.
- Partnered with extraordinary donors who infused Bok and LWHS with over 5 million dollars to enhance the lives of educators and students. Exceedingly grateful!
