Slowing the Pace
Their time is short.
What not long ago seemed out of sight and out of mind amidst the energy and pedal-to-the-metal action of the school year is now coming clearly into view.
As this most unusual 2020-2021 term reaches its end, seven colleagues with 102 combined years of committed service to Collegiate will step into the less frenetic world of retirement.
As the months became weeks and weeks became days, they shared their thoughts about their time on North Mooreland Road.
Beth Anne Shelley ’83 taught for 34 years, the first 10 at Maybeury Elementary (2nd grade), then 24 at Collegiate (10 in 1st, 14 in kindergarten). Throughout her career, she developed a reputation for dedication and caring as she nurtured her young charges through the first steps of their academic journeys.
Why kindergarten?
I love the age. I love that their teeth are falling out. I love that they come in just knowing a few letters and walk out reading and writing. That’s the most unbelievable feeling that you have helped that happen.
I love the age. I love that their teeth are falling out. I love that they come in just knowing a few letters and walk out reading and writing. That’s the most unbelievable feeling that you have helped that happen.
What’s kept you here?
The people. It’s just a great place to work. It’s like happy world. Those Collegiate moments: kids singing, plays, chapels, all those things that make Collegiate the wonderful place that it is.
The people. It’s just a great place to work. It’s like happy world. Those Collegiate moments: kids singing, plays, chapels, all those things that make Collegiate the wonderful place that it is.
Could you have envisioned this ending?
No. in fact, even as they were telling us it would happen, we were in absolute disbelief, and we couldn’t imagine how we’d pull it off, and yet, it’s been completely successful. In the nitty-gritty of every day, nothing has changed. They’re learning. They’re reading. They’re writing. They’re adding and subtracting. They’re socializing. It’s incredible.
No. in fact, even as they were telling us it would happen, we were in absolute disbelief, and we couldn’t imagine how we’d pull it off, and yet, it’s been completely successful. In the nitty-gritty of every day, nothing has changed. They’re learning. They’re reading. They’re writing. They’re adding and subtracting. They’re socializing. It’s incredible.
Parting thoughts?
My parting thought is I hope it’s not my parting thought. I hope I’ll be around and involved and volunteer and maybe one day have grandchildren here. It’s just not the kind of place you can walk away from and never return.
My parting thought is I hope it’s not my parting thought. I hope I’ll be around and involved and volunteer and maybe one day have grandchildren here. It’s just not the kind of place you can walk away from and never return.
Tyler Kilpatrick ’81 served in several roles in the Lower School during her two-decade stint at her alma mater: 3rd and 4th grade assistant, LS administrative assistant, and, for the past 14 years, admission administrative assistant. A gracious ambassador for Collegiate, she provided a model of caring and positivity that created a great first and lasting impression for new families.
What’s a good day?
The best day in admission is when a little child walks in just clinging to their mother or father and they’re scared, they don’t want to go into the room alone with the tester, and I can win their trust, and we walk together to the testing room. That’s my favorite part of the entire process. I love that part.
The best day in admission is when a little child walks in just clinging to their mother or father and they’re scared, they don’t want to go into the room alone with the tester, and I can win their trust, and we walk together to the testing room. That’s my favorite part of the entire process. I love that part.
What’s the best memory?
There’s always the memory of having someone call and say, “Tyler, I’m going to accept Collegiate for my child” and we didn’t expect them to say that. And they’ll say, “It’s because you all were so personal and reached out to us and I know you’re going to watch out for my child.” I tell people, “I promise you, everyone’s watching out for your child.” They come into Collegiate and say, “Wow, this is a really big school.” I say, “We have a lot of employees. Every single one of these employees is watching out for your child.”
There’s always the memory of having someone call and say, “Tyler, I’m going to accept Collegiate for my child” and we didn’t expect them to say that. And they’ll say, “It’s because you all were so personal and reached out to us and I know you’re going to watch out for my child.” I tell people, “I promise you, everyone’s watching out for your child.” They come into Collegiate and say, “Wow, this is a really big school.” I say, “We have a lot of employees. Every single one of these employees is watching out for your child.”
Parting thoughts?
I’ve been mighty fortunate to be in this school and know so many great people. The people I’ve met have become lifelong friends. That’s what Collegiate means to me: just a lifelong friend.
I’ve been mighty fortunate to be in this school and know so many great people. The people I’ve met have become lifelong friends. That’s what Collegiate means to me: just a lifelong friend.
Susan Wiley served as assistant to the head of school (Keith Evans, then Steve Hickman, then Penny Evins) during her 20-year tenure on North Mooreland Road before transitioning into retirement this past December. The recipient of the 2020 Anne Jones Staff Award, she greeted visitors to the campus with unwavering grace, kindness, and professionalism.
What kept you here?
Being around students and colleagues. Every day is different. Celebrating the different seasons and different holidays, which you wouldn’t normally do in a regular job. Being able to go to plays and VGF and (taking part in) the traditions. And having your summers at a little bit different pace. It’s a different campus over the summer.
Being around students and colleagues. Every day is different. Celebrating the different seasons and different holidays, which you wouldn’t normally do in a regular job. Being able to go to plays and VGF and (taking part in) the traditions. And having your summers at a little bit different pace. It’s a different campus over the summer.
What’s the best memory?
Sporting events when (my sons) Colscon ’11 and Nash ’15 played. (My husband) Andy and I got to know all the families (of their teammates) which was really nice. It was fun working with the Board. That was one of my passions. You get to see what the school is really about. You learn the history of the school. And you get to know all the board members and how things work together to direct the school.
Sporting events when (my sons) Colscon ’11 and Nash ’15 played. (My husband) Andy and I got to know all the families (of their teammates) which was really nice. It was fun working with the Board. That was one of my passions. You get to see what the school is really about. You learn the history of the school. And you get to know all the board members and how things work together to direct the school.
What’s next?
Not getting up at 5 a.m. to work out. My own pace. If you have a project that’s not school-related, you don’t have just two days on the weekend to get it done. I’ve enjoyed my time outside connecting with friends. I haven’t really gotten into a schedule yet, which is nice.
Not getting up at 5 a.m. to work out. My own pace. If you have a project that’s not school-related, you don’t have just two days on the weekend to get it done. I’ve enjoyed my time outside connecting with friends. I haven’t really gotten into a schedule yet, which is nice.
Parting thoughts?
I was very fortunate to work with three different heads of school, all very different, and 10 different board chairs. That was awesome.
I was very fortunate to work with three different heads of school, all very different, and 10 different board chairs. That was awesome.
Lauren Brown served as a kindergarten teacher at Collegiate from 1991-1996, spent 12 years as a stay-at-home mom, and returned in 2008 as a 4th grade teacher before moving to 3rd 11 years ago. The recipient of the Martha Schwarz Award (2013) and Craigie Teaching Award (2020), she brought positivity to her calling coupled with an innate ability to bring out the best in each student.
What brought you here?
Jill Hunter (former Lower School head) was my professor at the University of Richmond. She taught all of my education classes, mostly reading. She recruited me.
Jill Hunter (former Lower School head) was my professor at the University of Richmond. She taught all of my education classes, mostly reading. She recruited me.
What is it about elementary school kids that works for you?
That was always my passion. I just loved child development. That was my interest.
That was always my passion. I just loved child development. That was my interest.
What’s a good day in Lower School?
Just everybody leaving with a happy attitude, a smile on their face, and enthusiasm for the next day. The kids love to learn. They love coming to school.
Just everybody leaving with a happy attitude, a smile on their face, and enthusiasm for the next day. The kids love to learn. They love coming to school.
What’s made the Collegiate experience worthwhile?
I just felt a level of comfort coming here every day. It was such freedom to use the teachable moment. When you find a frog in the garden between buildings and bring it inside and start looking up the difference between frogs and toads. I just felt this sense freedom and trust to teach what was important and interesting and engaging.
I just felt a level of comfort coming here every day. It was such freedom to use the teachable moment. When you find a frog in the garden between buildings and bring it inside and start looking up the difference between frogs and toads. I just felt this sense freedom and trust to teach what was important and interesting and engaging.
What’s the best memory?
My kindergarten class (the class of ’04) came to my wedding my first year at Collegiate. First Saturday of spring break, March of 1992. They threw me a shower. They all came dressed up with their parents sitting so nicely in the pews at Cannon Chapel at UR.
My kindergarten class (the class of ’04) came to my wedding my first year at Collegiate. First Saturday of spring break, March of 1992. They threw me a shower. They all came dressed up with their parents sitting so nicely in the pews at Cannon Chapel at UR.
Kenny Hazelwood, who ran a landscaping business for 25 years, commuted each day from New Kent County. A dedicated member of the physical plant staff for eight years, first with HVAC and then general maintenance and special projects such as woodworking, he clocked in at 4 a.m. each day to troubleshoot problems that occurred overnight.
What brought you here and kept you here?
The people. Everybody seemed to get along pretty well. That was what I enjoyed. I liked my job. I enjoyed my time at Collegiate.
You retired several months ago. Have you missed coming to work?
Again, I miss the people. And getting up at 3 in the morning to get to work on time. That gave me a purpose for getting up.
The people. Everybody seemed to get along pretty well. That was what I enjoyed. I liked my job. I enjoyed my time at Collegiate.
You retired several months ago. Have you missed coming to work?
Again, I miss the people. And getting up at 3 in the morning to get to work on time. That gave me a purpose for getting up.
You miss getting up at 3 a.m.? How’d you manage those crazy hours?
I went to bed around 10. Got off at 1:30.
So you got maybe five hours of sleep, went to work, and did it again the next day?
Yes. And now I still get up around 3 or 4.
I went to bed around 10. Got off at 1:30.
So you got maybe five hours of sleep, went to work, and did it again the next day?
Yes. And now I still get up around 3 or 4.
Are you looking forward to getting out of that habit?
If I could, I would, but I enjoy it. Sometimes I do manage to doze back off.
If I could, I would, but I enjoy it. Sometimes I do manage to doze back off.
What have you been up to since you retired?
Traveling and camping. We (Kenny and his wife Kim) do a lot of traveling. We have three children that all have campers. We try to travel together as much as we can.
Traveling and camping. We (Kenny and his wife Kim) do a lot of traveling. We have three children that all have campers. We try to travel together as much as we can.
Ansley Gift served seven years as a 1st grade teaching assistant following several years as a substitute at Collegiate and nine years as a pre-school teacher in Richmond. During her time, she fostered a love of learning in her students and nurtured them as they developed the skills that prepared them for the future.
What brought you here and kept you here?
Love of children. I love watching them grown and learn. The education and the personal touch that we’re able to give our students and our children were what drew me here and kept me here.
Love of children. I love watching them grown and learn. The education and the personal touch that we’re able to give our students and our children were what drew me here and kept me here.
Speak about the experience.
Next fall will be the first fall in 30 years that somebody from our family won’t be on campus. My nephew (Michael Oden) started in kindergarten. He went 13 years and graduated (in 2004) with (my son) Jimmy who came in the fifth grade. That was the first 13 years. That next fall, (my daughter) Ann Hammond came in as a lifer. That was another 13 years. It’s been four years since she graduated. That’s a crazy, quick 30 years.
Next fall will be the first fall in 30 years that somebody from our family won’t be on campus. My nephew (Michael Oden) started in kindergarten. He went 13 years and graduated (in 2004) with (my son) Jimmy who came in the fifth grade. That was the first 13 years. That next fall, (my daughter) Ann Hammond came in as a lifer. That was another 13 years. It’s been four years since she graduated. That’s a crazy, quick 30 years.
Parting thoughts?
As Collegiate grows, I want us to remember where we started. It’s a special, special place for all of us who have been there for a long time. I love the school. I love the traditions. I love everything about it. It’s going to be hard to leave. It’s hard thinking about not being on campus next year. I’ll treasure everything from kindergarten chapel to winning state lacrosse, football, and swimming championships to art shows to 8th grade plays to guitar recitals. I’ll miss all of that. It’s been a wonderful place for my family.
~ Weldon Bradshaw
As Collegiate grows, I want us to remember where we started. It’s a special, special place for all of us who have been there for a long time. I love the school. I love the traditions. I love everything about it. It’s going to be hard to leave. It’s hard thinking about not being on campus next year. I’ll treasure everything from kindergarten chapel to winning state lacrosse, football, and swimming championships to art shows to 8th grade plays to guitar recitals. I’ll miss all of that. It’s been a wonderful place for my family.
~ Weldon Bradshaw
(Susan Droke is retiring after six years as Chief Academic Officer. Please click here to read the story of her professional journey in a companion piece on the Collegiate website.)
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