Jeffrey K. Brunner Named 2026 Mentor of the Year

by Lesley Misko

When Jeffrey K. Brunner walked into practice for this year’s high school musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, he expected a typical evening of music-making and rehearsal. Instead, he was met with a surprise that left him momentarily speechless.

“I looked at my friend Lindsey Reigner Mason and thought, what are you doing all the way over in the orchestra room?” Brunner recalled with a laugh. “I assumed she wanted tickets. And then she said, ‘No, that’s not the reason why I’m here…’ and that’s when they told me.”

The news—that he had been named Boyertown’s 2026 Mentor of the Year—didn’t immediately sink in.

“To be honest, I was taken aback,” he said. “There are so many great, wonderful teachers… I just didn’t understand why they would choose me. I thought it was a joke at first.”

That humility is part of what colleagues and students say defines Brunner—not just as an accomplished music educator, but as a mentor whose impact extends far beyond the classroom.

“Mr. Brunner has inspired and mentored over a thousand students through his outstanding commitment to music and education,” said assistant principal Mr. Eric Houck. “Through his leadership… he creates meaningful opportunities for students to grow both artistically and personally.”

Early Inspiration

Brunner’s path to music education began early and was shaped by his own experiences in Boyertown’s schools. A love of music classes in elementary school grew into a deeper passion in high school, where a capstone project working with middle school show choirs proved transformational.

“The real turning point for me,” Brunner said, “was when I made district chorus as a 10th grader and got to work under Dr. Brady Allred. I just found my passion for choral conducting. I thought, I can’t wait until I get to do that someday.” That inspiration carried him through his studies at Mansfield University, where mentors pushed him to recognize—and fully commit to—his potential.

“It took a lot of people to say, ‘Jeff, you’re talented—why can’t you apply that same effort to everything else?’” he said. “And finally, I grew up. I realized if I wanted to be the best at something, I needed to work hard at it.” Today, that same message resonates in his classroom through example. 

The Work Behind the Music

Brunner is quick to point out that teaching music is only part of his role. Mentorship, he says, is something deeper—and something no textbook can truly teach.

“Nobody teaches you how to be just a good person,” he said. “Nobody teaches you what to do when students are dealing with trauma or depression or home life issues. You become a counselor. You become a listener.”

That willingness to listen—and to meet students where they are—is central to his approach.“I do actually genuinely care about all my students,” Brunner said. “I try not to play favorites. I try to get to know every single one of them… and find those little moments in time where I can make them feel like they’re important to me.”

With nearly 200 students passing through his classroom each day, that goal is not without challenges. Still, he emphasizes the importance of connection, even in brief interactions.“You hope they learn to trust you,” he said. “Because if they don’t trust you, they’re not going to follow you. They’re not going to believe in what you’re doing.”

Two Key Ingredients: Strive for Excellence—and Make Connections

Brunner’s music ensembles are known for their high standards, but he insists that excellence is only part of the equation. The real goal is to give students something meaningful to be proud of. “If you give them the best quality music—even stuff they think they won’t like at first—and you challenge them, something magical happens,” he said. “They change their minds. They realize how beautiful it is. And then they own it.”

Students say that expectation—and the support behind it—has a lasting impact.

“He inspires us to strive for excellence and work harder every single day, to grow not only as musicians but as people,” said Kacie Dieser, a member of the Class of 2027. “His support and belief in me has encouraged me to pursue my own dream of becoming a music educator.”

For Cole Major, also Class of 2027, the experience goes beyond the music itself. “His inclusive and engaging way of teaching allows every class to feel exceedingly enjoyable,” Major said. “He truly focuses on the best for each person… and helps make me become a more fulfilled student every day.”

That transformation often leads to standout performances—moments Brunner treasures not for their accolades, but for what they represent.

He recalls singing with students in Salzburg, Austria, early in his career, and in more recent years, a powerful performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall.“We were the only choir that day that got a standing ovation,” he said. “Those kids knew every note. They made every moment special.”

Still, for Brunner, the most meaningful successes are quieter ones: the individual connections formed over time.“Even with 190 kids a day, you look for those little moments where you can make them feel important,” he said. 

Meeting Students Where They Are

Working with high school students today presents unique challenges, from packed academic schedules to the lingering emotional effects of the pandemic.

“They’re busy, they’re stressed, and they’re still dealing with a lot,” Brunner said. “You have to remind them that being creative and artistic is just as important as academics.”

He also acknowledges the growing influence of technology.“Getting them to look up from their phones and experience real life—that’s a huge challenge,” he said. “But I find that, at their core,  high school kids are kind. They want to learn. They just need help finding balance.” 

Recent music trip to France.

It Doesn't End with Graduation

For many students, Brunner’s mentorship doesn’t end at graduation. Former students regularly stay in touch, seeking advice or simply reconnecting. “I always like to see how my kids are being successful,” he said. “Some reach out for recommendations… while some just want to catch up. That means a lot.”

At the same time, he encourages students to step beyond their comfort zones.“I want them to go out and see the world,” he said. “Boyertown is a great community—but there’s so much more out  there to experience.”

A Humbling Honor

Despite more than two decades of teaching and countless lives impacted, Brunner remains characteristically modest about receiving the Mentor of the Year award. “I look at the list of past recipients, and there are so many people who inspired me,” he said. “I never thought I would be at their level.”

Even now, the recognition feels surreal. “I’m very grateful,” he added. “I’m still completely dumbfounded that somebody thought of me.”

For the students who have found confidence, purpose, and belonging under his guidance, the choice seems far more obvious. In classrooms filled with music, effort, and trust, Jeffrey K. Brunner has spent years doing more than teaching: he has been listening, guiding, and quietly impacting students’ lives.

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