Faculty and Staff Awards - Griffin, Brent, Jones, Williams, and Schwarz

 

 

The following is based on remarks made at the August 22, 2025 all school meeting:

The Ann Griffin Award for Excellence in Teaching honors the legacy of Ann Griffin’s 39 years at Collegiate by supporting a deserving Upper School faculty member in exploring innovative approaches to teaching. This year’s recipient, Will Dunlap, exemplifies both creativity and dedication in his craft.

With a keen intellect, sharp wit, and Renaissance spirit, Will’s journey to the English classroom is unique. He first studied cello performance before pursuing a PhD in English. Now Chair of the Upper School English Department, he has distinguished himself as a probing questioner, a gifted guide to literature and film, and a supportive teacher of writing.

It is common to see him in Pitt Hall meeting one-on-one with a student, listening closely to their ideas, posing pointed questions, and helping them shape their thoughts into polished essays. His students leave not only better writers but also more confident thinkers, buoyed by his encouraging smile and contagious laugh.

Never one to rest on his achievements, Will experiments with new methods and crafts innovative electives such as reading and writing film, creative bon-fiction, travel literature, and technology and literature. As a colleague, he is generous with his ideas and always eager to collaborate on fresh approaches to classroom practice.

Beyond the classroom, his impact stretches far. He has guided students through The Flame, Collegiate’s literary magazine, and coached Academic Quiz Bowl. He has served multiple years as Upper School Annual Fund Chair, delivering fundraising appeals that are as memorable as they are effective.

As English Department Chair, Will has embraced the challenge of reimagining how English is taught in an AI-driven world, serving as both a professional coach and a visionary leader for his colleagues. In true renaissance nature, when Will is not in the classroom, he is a filmmaker, kayaker, cyclist, explorer—and, always, a cellist at heart.

 

This year’s Brent Award recipient, Emily Roig, finds no shortage of ways to connect with students. With a calm, steady presence and a welcoming spirit, she naturally draws others in—whether in the classroom, on the court, on stage, or in the great outdoors. Now entering her fourth year at Collegiate, she has quickly emerged as a beloved teacher, coach, and collaborator across the Middle School and beyond.

As a basketball coach, Emily infuses every practice with energy and positivity, earning her a reputation as a favorite among Middle School athletes. On game days in the fall and spring, she can often be found out at Robins, cheering on current and former students with the same enthusiasm she brings to her own team. Her support is genuine, and her impact is lasting.

In the classroom, Emily teaches Spanish with an authentic global lens, sparking excitement and engagement among her students. Just two years into her time at Collegiate, she led an 8th Grade spring break trip to the Yucatán Peninsula, blending adventure, culture, and immersive learning. She also served this summer as a Middle School representative on Dr. Antenette Stokes’s Celebration Collective, helping to honor the rich traditions that shape our diverse community.

And, of course, her colleagues and students alike have seen her shine in another arena—on stage, guitar in hand, microphone ready. Whether performing an original song in Middle School assembly or leading Em and the Beardos at an all-faculty meeting, her music unites and uplifts, adding joy to our days. A gifted educator, an inspiring mentor, and a trusted voice among her colleagues, Emily’s contributions resonate far and wide. 

 

 

Paul Teeples embodies the very qualities listed in the Anne Jones Award. Quiet, kind, and steady, Paul works behind the scenes with humility and care. Since 2003, he has been a pillar of Collegiate, faithfully serving as a maintenance technician and resident expert on all things electrical. His work is meticulous, his presence dependable, and his commitment unwavering. If you’re lucky, you might even catch him offering a smile—and perhaps sharing a sweet treat.

But Paul is not only a technician—he is an artist. A locally renowned sculptor, he brings an artist’s eye to his work on campus. The craftsmanship evident in every perfectly patched wall, every seamlessly painted surface, reflects not just technical skill but creative vision. His work is a quiet testament to pride in excellence.

For more than two decades, Paul’s dedication has been a constant force at Collegiate. He doesn’t seek recognition or applause. Instead, he makes our campus better—every day—not for praise, but because he believes in the work itself.