Bunni Cooper, known as Ms. Bunni to her students, previously worked at the World Bank for 23 years before retiring. Not the type to “sit at home and do nothing,” she looked for a way to “pay it forward.” Now, nine years into being a routine substitute for Bull Run Elementary, she regularly gets hugs and warm greetings from passing students in the hallways and has been asked by many to serve as a “fill-in grandma.”

Cooper says she was drawn to substituting because she loves kids, which she notes is important for anyone interested in the work. “When they come and have a class with Ms. Bunni, I try to be very firm,” Ms. Bunni says. “I know that’s necessary to be in control of the classroom, but I also want them to know they are worthy, they are important and if they set their mind to doing something – they can do it.”

Cooper, who became an FCPS substitute teacher in 2013, has focused her time almost exclusively at Bull Run Elementary School in Centreville for the past nine years. “There is a near-daily need for her assistance, and the ability to concentrate on one school has led to deeper ties with students, families and the school staff itself. Having someone ready and willing to jump in feet first and say we got this, we can take care of this makes a huge, huge difference in the daily operations of a school,” Bull Run Principal Jason Pensler said.

Now nine years after she first became a substitute, Ms. Bunni typically works five days a week and has no plans to stop. “These kids give me energy and purpose, they give me so much joy,” Cooper said. “I feel like I am helping these students in some way establish the road to their success. And I don’t plan on quitting until the good Lord tells me to quit.”

FCPS is lucky to have thousands of teachers and employees like Ms. Bunni that care deeply about their students and show them that they are valuable and capable of great things. Even though Cooper didn’t originally start working in education, we are fortunate to have her on our team.

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—We moved here from Hong Kong 11 years ago as we looked for a place where my son can get the special education support that he needed, so he can grow at his own pace. I was so impressed by the support offered by FCPS. I studied and became a special education teacher myself!

—I realized that I wanted to work with kids after 5 years in the Human Resources field. I went back to school and got a M.Ed. As a former FCPS student, I was excited to rejoin FCPS as a teacher.

—What brought me back to FCPS as an employee was the need to help other special education students like myself. Lynn Hathaway Woodson Graduate Class of 2015

—Even before I retired from Verizon in 2014, I knew I wanted to lead and inspire young people. So, 6 months after retirement boredom kicked in, I joined the FCPS team as a sub (not a sandwich). I soon found my niche as a high school substitute teacher.

—When the call went out for classroom monitors to help reopen schools in 2021, I figured I was the perfect candidate because I'm a freelance writer with a flexible schedule, I've worked with kids as a soccer coach and I had already had COVID.

—I came to FCPS to follow my dream as I continue my journey to work with children on a daily basis. My preschool closed due to COVID-19.

—FCPS gave me the resources to be on my own after a long marriage and some years as an at-home mom. I will be forever grateful.

—In 2011, a Strings substitute invited me to help her return the IFA instruments to the warehouse in Springfield. I thought to myself, 'I can do this!' Been subbing mostly long-term strings since then! Love it!!