Shenandoah Valley Principal Retires After 30 Years

When students head back to class in two weeks, one familiar face will be missing. 

Bruce Hunter, the school's principal, retired on July 1 after 27 years at the school and 31 within the .

Music led Hunter to his career in education as an orchestra director. “I taught orchestra, traveling between 11 schools in the district before serving as orchestra director at Shenandoah. And then I became an administrator here,” he said. 

Hunter found Shenandoah to be a great fit and led the school by building relationships with his staff, students and parents. “Education is about relationships,” he said. “Through those relationships, you teach curriculum.” The relationships he built remain, though many years have passed.

“Years ago, there was a group of boys who would come in to play chess with me before school. Those four boys, who are now graduating high school seniors, came to visit me on the last day of school. They wanted to play one more game of chess before I retired,” Hunter said. 

While he is officially retired, Hunter hasn’t had much time to kick back and relax. He helped , transition into her job. 

“Bruce and I worked together in many areas. He has been a mentor,” Luttrell said. “He truly cares about the families and staff.” 

Hunter will be a part-time employee at Parkway next summer. He will oversee a $4-million construction project at Shenandoah. The project proposal, which includes a vocal music/strings addition, was developed by Hunter.  

It's not all work, though. “My wife, Mary Jo, has a honey-do list for me. And I’m learning to cook, so I can have dinner ready when she gets home from work,” Hunter said.

He plans to spend more time with his family including his sons, Brandon and Sean, and his parents, who are in their 80s. And, he'll continue to do what he loves—serving others—at his church, where he oversees the children's ministry and is chairman of the leadership council.

He's looking back at his time in Shenandoah Valley fondly.

“Shenandoah Valley is one amazing place,” Hunter said. “And it’s the people who make it amazing. The staff was incredible, community and kids were awesome. I will always cherish the relationships I had with the kids, parents and staff. And I will miss them tremendously.”