I owe to my colleagues, collaborators, friends, and family the idea that I represent what other outstanding educators value in teaching. The application process provided a timely opportunity for professional reflection. I had recently completed an intense graduate program called Teaching All Secondary Students, and I was able to reflect on the growth and improvements in my teaching style. The growth that I value most was my focus on collaboration at many different levels.

Stewart Williamson Morrisville, VT | 7-12, Science, 2013

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Stew Williamson taught science in Connecticut and Massachusetts for the first 10 years of his career. He and his wife moved to Morrisville, VT, where Stew taught Physics, Chemistry, and Forensics at Peoples Academy for nine years. This past summer, the Williamson family moved to Central Virginia where Stew now teaches 11th-12th grade physics at the Collegiate School. As a member of the faculty leadership team at Peoples Academy High School, Stew contributed to the development of the school’s curriculum using the “Understanding by Design” model. He helped lead his supervisory union's K-12 science team toward unified enduring understandings and essential questions. By digging deeply into connected topics, Stew led his classes with labs and explorations that allowed for differentiation at all levels. His patience and love of learning were contagious, giving students a safe place to learn and explore the world around them. Stew has presented sessions on connecting physics with drivers’ education courses at local, regional, and national conferences. Having also co-taught selected math classes, it is clear that Stew values collaboration.  Stew has a B.A. in chemistry from Middlebury College, a M.Ed. in secondary science education from Boston University, and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in secondary curriculum from Johnson State College. He is certified in secondary science education.

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