Sometimes a grade-school crush can bloom into a full-blown love, followed by a lifelong commitment of marriage.
And sometimes, the place where you grew up is exactly where you need to be — not only for you and your family — but also the people around you.
Such is the case for married duo Iris and Marcus Bunton, two former high school sweethearts, who recently returned to Taylor Independent School District to serve the youth of the community they love so well.
The Buntons, who were both born and raised in Taylor, first met in the fifth grade at TH Johnson Elementary School.
“We met when we were really young,” said Marcus, who returned to the district this year as a football and track coach for the high school. “Just as friends liking somebody … We have been around for a long time.” Iris, who is currently a professional school counselor and was a former elementary school teacher for seven years for the district, said it has been wonderful for her and her family to be back after working at other jobs in Pflugerville and Hutto.
“It’s the sense of community, and the connections in the community,” she said. “I just see the growth, and I just want to be there for the students.”
Like their parents, two of the Buntons’ three kids are also in Taylor ISD schools, including Faith, 8, and Ian, 5. The Buntons’ eldest son Kenyon, 19, is in college.
Iris said the couple strongly believes in Taylor ISD’s mission statement to “Inspire, equip and empower every student to achieve their unique potential.”
Marcus, who previously coached for Taylor ISD for seven or eight years and is an advocate for students receiving special education, said he enjoys empowering his students.
“My main thing is just trying to speak life into the kids and giving them the confidence to believe in themselves,” said the former high school quarterback who went on to play four years at Texas Tech on a full scholarship. “Just trying to teach them to have self-confidence and believe in themselves and let them know if they put enough effort into it, they can pretty much do anything they want to do.”
Iris, who holds Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Learning from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education in the School of Counseling from Lamar University, also sees her work as an opportunity to serve.
“That is a big thing for me as I counsel, that everyone has someone,” she said. “Not just students who have special needs or students who have behavior issues, but all students—even the quiet students.
Bunton, who describes herself as somewhat quiet, said she makes sure all the students can access passes to come see her.
“I am a listener,” she said. “When students come to me, I listen and then I affirm them, and once you listen to people, they are more willing to listen to me. I am not one to just command and tell them what to do, but I will listen to your perspective and help you if I can.”
While both Buntons love their work, they said it is especially sweet to get to do it in Taylor once again.
“The people are good here,” Marcus said. “I love the community, and the kids are great. The smalltown feel is what I am accustomed to, and it feels good to be able to give back to the kids.”
