We hear from Upper School Science Teacher Stew Williamson

A TEACHER’S TAKE

Spark Talks with Collegiate Upper School Science Teacher Stew Williamson

Stew Williamson, who is now in his eighth year at Collegiate as an Upper School Science Teacher, knows that a stimulating education is all about continuous discovery. What Collegiate offers, he says, are the tools necessary for a life of learning. “The idea that students I teach will go on to make more discoveries — and that the growth started in my classroom — is something really special,” he says. Mr. Williamson sat down with the Spark to talk about the persistent curiosity of Collegiate students, what makes teaching here so special and what he hopes students will take from his classes.

WHAT MAKES TEACHING AT COLLEGIATE SO SPECIAL?

Teaching for me is about connections. I find that kids are really open to making those connections between classroom content and real-world application. There are times for students to think about what I’m instructing and there are also times when they can make discoveries about why this is important in the real world. Collegiate does a terrific job of fostering those connections between the classroom and the broader community.

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING?

My approach to teaching is centered around lifelong learning, figuring things out as you go, encouraging students to ask difficult questions and encouraging them to think critically. I love teaching chemistry and physics for that reason. In a science lab, for example, students get to do the science, apply what they’ve learned, come up with their own conclusions and test their hypotheses. Recently, I had students package and ship Pringles. Although they likely won’t be sending anyone fragile chips in real life, they will hopefully learn why we use bubble wrap to mail delicate items. In this way they learn the real-world application of momentum, force and time. These are discoveries that have value in their lives. This is a real connection to the world around them, and I try to make those connections as often as I can.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR STUDENTS TAKE WITH THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE YOUR CLASSROOM?

Definitely lifelong learning. If they think that they’re done learning science when they’re done with their requirements here, then I haven’t done my job. I want them to have science literacy. I want them to pick up The New York Times and read it and say, “I understand what this means.” I want them to be curious about the world around them. I want to foster that curiosity, because when students are curious they are open to further exploration. And at Collegiate, we give students the structure that allows them to be curious.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

I love when alumni come back to campus or reach out to you and they say something like “I’m taking physics in college and what you taught us in the Upper School we’re now learning at the next level.” That’s the piece I love: When we sew the seeds of further exploration. As the Science Department Chair, I have seen student research and application really take off over the years. Many of my colleagues go the extra mile to engage with students on the Robotics team or help them with research or environmental practices. I’ve been able to see science clubs grow over the years, and when I hear that alumni are really pushing forward in engineering, medicine or AI — it’s exciting.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT COLLEGIATE?

I love that at Collegiate a lot of faculty are involved in other things besides teaching. Many teachers are also coaches or club mentors. In so many ways, our teachers go far beyond teaching just the textbook. I think that makes us a stronger community — that a student also interacts with teachers in their roles as coaches or instructors or mentors. When my colleagues work with kids outside the classroom it just strengthens everything we do.

HOW HAS COLLEGIATE EVOLVED DURING YOUR TIME ON NORTH MOORELAND ROAD?

I wouldn’t say that this has changed over my eight years here, but I have come to see that students really love being at Collegiate. The kids do really enjoy learning here. And they appreciate all of the teachers. They say “thank you” at the end of every class, and they appreciate that we challenge them to think.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST:

FOR THE THALHIMERS, IT’S THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING

Collegiate connections run deep for Sallie and Billy Thalhimer ’64. Mr. Thalhimer has fond memories of the lasting friendships he forged with the 18 other members of his graduating class. The times spent in the library, the bus rides that took him from Windsor Farms down the then-gravel path of River Road to the campus, the various sporting events — all of it gave Mr. Thalhimer an indelible impression of what an educational community should be. When it came time to educate their three children — Elizabeth ’94, Katherine ’96 and Christie ’02 — Collegiate was the only choice. The family’s connection with the School only grew from there. The entire Thalhimer family, for the last few decades, has given their time and commitment to Collegiate: Mr. Thalhimer served on the Board of Trustees for 17 years; Mrs. Thalhimer worked as an Upper School Spanish Teacher for a number of years, organized a summer camp through Summer Quest and took on volunteer positions such as VGF co-chair; and their daughters, who now have children of their own at Collegiate, continue to serve in volunteer roles at the School. “Collegiate has been a common thread through everything we’ve done,” Mr. Thalhimer says, “and one of the great things about Collegiate is that you are always a part of the School.” For the Thalhimers, being part of the School begins with a strong academic foundation and then extends to the importance of continuing to foster a strong community. “When we talk about Collegiate as a community,” Mrs. Thalhimer says, “we’re not just talking about helping our kids and our family. We’re talking about helping each student. That means being involved in volunteer capacities, doing whatever it was.” With the Collegiate community as one of their passions, the Thalhimers created a charitable remainder trust (CRT). With a CRT, which can be established during or after a lifetime, the donor receives a number of benefits, including: the donor(s) will pay lower taxes; the donor(s) will lower their concentrated risk through diversification; the donor(s) will receive a charitable tax deduction for about 33% of the value of their gift; the donor(s) will not incur capital gains tax upon the sale of their asset; and the donor(s) can consider the CRT as a philanthropic asset in their investment portfolio. “Charitable remainder trusts provide many benefits for both the donor and the organization,” says Kristen Williams, Chief Development Officer. “We are incredibly grateful to the Thalhimer family for their ongoing partnership and support of Collegiate in so many ways.” The benefit of a Collegiate education is something the Thalhimers hope to pass on. “This is a way to continue supporting Collegiate forever,” says Mr. Thalhimer. “I started as a student. Sallie and I have seen our children and grandchildren grow through the School, and now it feels like we’re continuing that process of giving.”

IMMEDIATE TAX DEDUCTION

INCOME FOR LIFE

NO CAPITAL GAINS TAX

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST (CRT) ASSETS

AT CONCLUSION OF CRT

GIFT TO COLLEGIATE

At Collegiate School, we inspire and lift each other up to be our best. Giving to the Annual Fund is an important way to support each student and teacher every year.

WHEN DOES THE ANNUAL FUND BEGIN AND END?

Collegiate’s Annual Fund (our fiscal year) begins July 1 each year and ends June 30.

WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE ANNUAL FUND?

The entire Collegiate community — parents, alumni, current and former faculty and staff, grandparents, parents of alumni and other friends.

WHAT DOES THE ANNUAL FUND SUPPORT?

All aspects of School life. From books and subscriptions in each of our three libraries to petri dishes in the science lab, your investment allows Collegiate to prepare our students to become responsible citizens, inquisitive thinkers and compassionate leaders.

HOW CAN I MAKE A GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND?

Credit Card

Collegiate’s website has a Giving Page (collegiate-va.org/giving/make-a-gift) that is a secure site where you can make a credit card donation or call our Development Office at 804.741.9706 and we’d be happy to help you.

Stock

We accept gifts of appreciated securities. Please call the Development Office: 804.741.9706.

Mail

Make checks payable to: “Collegiate School”

Collegiate School Development Office 103 N. Mooreland Road Richmond, VA 23229

Phone

Call our Main Development Office line: 804.741.9706.

Giving Form:

Venmo:@CollegiateRVA

Scan QR code for payment

103 North Mooreland Road Richmond, Virginia 23229

For Collegiate School students, education extends well beyond the classroom. Here, students in 1st Grade roam the gardens of Shalom Farms.