Dr. Chris Dunning has been a Florida resident for 35 years with 30 of those right here in Pasco County. Growing up he played the piano, a variety of sports, and at the age of 8 was awarded a heroism award for saving the lives of his family from a tragic car accident.  In high school he was a varsity wrestler, member of several honor societies, made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.  After graduating high school at the age of 16, Chris attended the University of South Florida where he worked his way through college, was a resident assistant, president of the College of Education Student Council, and played rugby for the Bulls while maintaining academic honors. Click here for Dr. Dunning's résumé. 

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He started his educational career as an elementary school teacher in Hillsborough County, but quickly moved to Pasco where he advanced to an elementary assistant principal, and then principal. Dr. Dunning went on as principal to oversee two middle schools and the district’s most challenging high school, where he turned the school around in just one year. Chris previously worked as the district’s Chief Negotiator, and as an advisor to the superintendent in the employee relations department. Currently he is the principal of Wendell Krinn Technical High, the district’s first ever magnet high school which provides opportunities for students in 14 career areas including Biomed, Cybersecurity, pre-Engineering, HVAC, and Welding.

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Throughout his entire professional life, Chris has been an active volunteer in the community.  Even before having children of his own, he coached at the YMCA and was the leader of a cub scout pack.  He has been on multiple chamber boards and served as chairman, he has been in multiple rotaries and is continually giving back to our community in meaningful ways.

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Chris’ pride and joy are his wife and children! Chris and his beloved wife Jeannie, who is a former teacher and realtor, have four children. Hunter is a welder in North Carolina, Noah and Daniella are in college and Liam is currently an 8th grader right here in our school system. Chris and Jeannie are also first responders in the foster care system and have hosted almost 40 children in the past three years. It has been an honor for Chris to serve Pasco County for nearly 30 years and he will serve all our families as Pasco County’s Superintendent of Schools.