Lifelong Learning: The Inspiring Journey of Donna Kuntz
Donna Kuntz was born in Harrisburg, where she spent her childhood and teenage years. From a young age, she had a passion for working with children, which led her to pursue a degree in Elementary Education at Lebanon Valley College. During her college years, Donna worked as a playground supervisor and taught Sunday School, further solidifying her love for teaching.
After graduating, Donna began her teaching career in Mechanicsburg. However, she always dreamed of living in a big city, so she moved to the Philadelphia suburbs and taught at Radnor Township for two years. It was during this time that she met her husband. The couple eventually relocated to Lebanon, where Donna taught at Palmyra for two years before taking a position as a Learning Disabilities Consultant at the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit.
Donna then took a break from her career to focus on raising her family. She and her husband had a son and a daughter, and Donna dedicated herself to their upbringing. When she returned to work, she taught preschool, a role she found incredibly rewarding.
Today, Donna’s children have grown into successful professionals. Her son is a lawyer in Maryland, and her daughter is the director of transplant assessment at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Donna and her husband always encouraged their children to pursue their passions and provided them with numerous opportunities for growth, including cultural experiences like music and travel.
Donna’s career continued to evolve as she taught Classroom Management at Penn State Harrisburg and supervised student teachers. She then returned to public education, teaching gifted students at Northern Lebanon Elemntary School for three years before becoming the Instructional Support Teacher for five years. Throughout her career, Donna remained committed to her own education, earning her principal certificate and serving as the Elementary School Principal for Palmyra School District for ten years before retiring in 2010.
In retirement, Donna embraced her love for travel, exploring Europe and visiting iconic destinations such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Keukenhof’s tulip gardens. She also became an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional women’s service organization focused on education, and joined St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Lebanon.
Donna enjoys participating in her book club, where she indulges in historical fiction, and is currently reading Kristin Hannah’s “The Women.” She also loves walking, classical music, and local theatre. After moving to Cornwall Manor in July 2024, Donna became involved with the Crafters group and the Pen Pal Program, where she writes to a fourth grader at Cornwall Elementary School. thoroughly enjoys the Cornwall Manor Concert Series, lectures, and One Day University video programs, all of which align with her lifelong learning mantra.
Reflecting on her varied career, Donna feels that her experiences teaching at different levels have prepared her for any opportunity that came her way. She values the challenges she faced and the adaptability she developed. Education has always been a safe and fulfilling space for her, and she continues to be involved in the Alumni Awards Committee at Lebanon Valley College. There is even a scholarship in her name at LVC – the Donna Deal Kuntz Scholarship for an elementary education major.
Donna is also a sports enthusiast, cheering for Philadelphia teams like the Phillies and Eagles, and eagerly anticipating March Madness as an avid Duke fan. She is grateful for her life at Cornwall Manor, where she finds the community to be supportive and friendly. Donna enjoys the spontaneity of her days, embracing the freedom to make last-minute plans with friends.
As she looks back on her career and life, Donna remains committed to lifelong learning and cherishes the relationships she has built along the way. “I am so grateful to be here,” she shares and all of us at Cornwall Manor are happy that you part of the Cornwall Manor family!
