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The Willard Stamp Leaving Behind a Legacy
Stamp WILLARD THE Leaving Behind a Legacy
by Brooke Ezzo
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- Karl Marx
When you think back, there is at least one teacher or professor who left a lasting mark on your life once their class was over. Whether it was their quirky style of teaching, quick ad libs, or their innate ability to challenge you enough that you actually learned something, they are the ones you always remember.
At Hebron 9th Grade Campus, a teacher who left an impressionable stamp on everyone’s heart was Mr. Jeffrey Willard. This past June, Hebron faculty, students, and alumni mourned the loss of their unforgettable and dedicated teacher and friend.
Mr. Willard started at Hebron 9th Grade Campus during its premier year and was the campus’ first Teacher of the Year in 2011. He had an incredible way of making his curriculum mysterious enough that it kept students engaged and looking for more.
He was very efficient with his time and the point of the lesson, he had a unique way of teaching students how to be students. He is famous for his
handwritten notes and lectures, Marx Notes, and his passion for critical thinking.
His delicate and unwavering care for protecting and teaching his students can be felt through each student who shares their fondest memories of their time in his classroom.
Former student Andie Hayduk had Mr. Willard for GT English her freshman at Hebron. A junior now, she remembers her time in his classroom.
“Mr. Willard was by far my favorite teacher I’ve ever had. I looked forward to his class every day and I am very sorry that students after me will not have the opportunity to take his class and know him as a person. He had a very unique teaching style. Every day was something different, it was always interesting, and each lesson seemed applicable to the future. It was a very challenging class, but I loved every minute of it because of the subject matter and because of his passion for teaching us. He hand wrote everything! Tests and worksheets, and he made us handwrite every single thing, I still have callouses to show for it!
I’ll miss his funny life stories in the middle of our lessons. I’ll never get to hear the story about why he wore wrestling shoes to school every day. He always promised to tell us the story one day.
I started the semester with a failing grade in writing- he worked with me so much and I worked very hard to meet his standards (which were very high!). I ended the class with an A and he gave me the EYAS award at the end of the year, a huge honor.
Mr. Willard was one of a kind.”
Another student Grant Johnson whose family’s home was a drop-off point for Castle Hills residents who wanted to give gifts to the Willard family, is thankful for the legacy that Mr. Willard has left behind. photo courtesy of Jennifer Willard (Jeff, wife Jennifer, and daughter Marcie)
unforgettable and dedicated teacher and friend
“When you tell people you had Mr. Willard for English, there is always a reaction. They are either going to tell you they had him too and you connect personally over surviving that class, or they look at you with a little bit more respect, knowing that it was one of the hardest classes at HH9.
He was famous for his ‘Marx Notes,’ which taught you how to be a critical reader and also how to convey your written thoughts in the most concise way. I will always be proud to have been in his class, and for what I learned that year. I’m sorry for the future classes to miss out on having him as a teacher.”
When asked, many will tell you that Jeff was strong in his convictions, sturdy in his faith, and dedicated to carefully instilling positive values into the lives of everyone he touched. His legacy will continue with everyone who carries the Willard Stamp. Hebron 9th Grade Campus and the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation have set up a website for those interested in donating to the Jeff Willard Memorial Scholarship and to the Willard family. Visit www.LisdEF.com/MrWillard.
photo courtesy of Grant Johnson (Famous “Marx Notes”)
