Staff Spotlight: Wendy Gunter, Frohardt

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Wendy Gunter.

Gunter is a 4th grade teacher at Frohardt Elementary School and has been working in the Granite City School District for 28 years.

Where did you go to school?
I attended SIUE and earned my bachelor’s in education. I went back and did some work towards a master’s in IT, but decided it wasn’t for me.

What is the most rewarding part of being a 4th grade teacher?
I love the “Ah-Ha” moments when kids finally figure out how to do something. I also really love to run into my former students out in the world being successful too. Several of my former students actually are teachers in our district as well.

Do you have a favorite classroom tradition?
Every year, Mrs. Laub and I order duckling eggs from a hatchery to incubate in our classrooms. The kids love to watch them grow.

What is your favorite memory teaching?
One year, here at Frohardt, my mother- and father-in-law brought two of their dairy cows to the school all the way from Conway, MO, for our students to see up close. The kids loved it!

Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by Missy Jones. Even in years that she has a challenging class, she still shows up every day with a smile, and gives it her best. I’ve been really lucky to teach with her these last few years.

Favorite food?
I love food. My absolute favorite is the Brown Butter and Mizithra Cheese Spaghetti from the Spaghetti Factory.

Hobbies?
I still play softball every summer. My family and I go camping a lot, and ride side-by-sides with our friends. After I retire in five years, I plan to pick up traveling as a new hobby.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net