Ms. Lauren Funk is new to the Dana Hall community as a 9th-grade Western Civilizations teacher. Ms. Funk began teaching in 2007, after receiving her undergraduate degree in Justice and Law from American University.  

Ms. Funk never thought she would be a teacher. After four years of studying law, she realized it was not the career path she wanted to pursue. Her grandmother taught elementary school and always looked fondly upon her educators. During her fourth year of college, she decided to guide the next generation through education aligned more closely with her passions than law. 

Ms. Funk has a passion for all-girls education, as this is her second single-sex independent school. She previously worked as a social studies teacher and team lead at Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, MA.

Continuing her pursuit of higher education, she received a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University and is now working to complete a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction for Social Studies Education at Boston University.

Ms. Funk loves her job, as she gets to see the progress of individuals from 9th grade to undergraduates in college. She believes that “9th graders are weird in a good way,” as they are at the beginning of their teenage years when self-exploration is aided by new freedoms and opportunities. Ms. Funk appreciates the programs at Dana Hall and thinks it is fantastic how there are so many ways to be involved in this vibrant community.