Remembering Burrell Stultz

From December 1967 when she accepted a two-day substitute teaching assignment until her retirement in June 2013, Burrell Stultz dispensed both knowledge and wisdom, shared a passion for her subject matter (science), and mentored both her students (third and fourth graders) and the legions of colleagues who were blessed to share the Collegiate journey with her.

 

Humble, selfless, and unflappable even in the most challenging of times, she dedicated her life to family, friends, community, and Collegiate.

 

Today, we mourn her passing.

 

Early this morning, Burrell slipped peacefully away at Westminster Canterbury Richmond following a period of declining health. She was 86 years old.

 

She was predeceased by her husband John, the love of her life to whom she was married for 60 years, and her daughter Lisa Stultz Moore ’77. She is survived by her granddaughters Claire Moore of Teton Village, WY, and Morgan McFadden (husband Will and their son Willie) of Stephens, GA.

 

“Burrell was a teacher who always wanted to find the newest things and best things to share with her students,” said Dr. Jill Hunter, Collegiate’s Lower School head from 1988 until 2015. “She had a love of teaching and a curiosity that was second to none.

 

“She was one of the first people to welcome me to Collegiate, and I remember her warmth and kindness. That’s what everybody says about Burrell, always. We all felt so supported by her in so many ways.”

 

Burrell’s distinguished tenure at Collegiate had humble origins.

 

After teaching third grade for three years at Crestview Elementary (Henrico County) following her graduation from University Richmond, then stepping away when Lisa was born, in January 1968 she followed her initial two-day gig with a multi-week assignment teaching Lower School science in a small, sparsely furnished classroom on the driveway side of the West Gym.

 

Her hard-and-fast plan was to finish the term, then return to her role as a stay-at-home mom.

 

Fate, thankfully, had other plans.

 

“I was hooked,” she said several months ago when reflecting on her career which could better be described as a sacred calling. “After that year with the little ones, I never even though about leaving. I loved teaching. There were so many things you could try and do. You could see progress almost immediately. I loved the topic, of course. I loved the exploring. I loved the academic freedom.”

 

Over the years, with Burrell’s guidance, the curriculum grew to include units in life science, physical science, and earth science.  By the time she retired, she taught from aesthetically-pleasing, well-supplied, state-of-the-art classroom which she helped design in the Watt Library and Technology Building.

 

Burrell set high standards for her students. Firmly yet gently, she held their attention (no small task with eight- and nine-year-olds), commanded their respect, and inculcated a love for science and for learning.

 

She set, as well, high standards for herself. She was organized, attuned to new trends and methods, and first-year-teacher excited about her work even in the final years of her career.

 

“Burrell loved Collegiate,” said Debbie Miller, who arrived on North Mooreland Road in 1986 as a Lower School teacher and has headed that division since 2015. “She loved the children. She was always interested in their curiosity for learning. She was ahead of her time in the way she approached science in letting the children have ownership of their learning. Even after she retired, she loved being part of the Collegiate community and truly treasured it.”

 

A native of Petersburg, Burrell was an active member of Reveille United Methodist Church and an inveterate fan of Collegiate and UR athletic teams in a variety of sports.

 

Burrell and her family were loyal supporters and heartfelt benefactors of both Collegiate and the University of Richmond.

 

Among her many gifts to Collegiate, she endowed in 1994 in memory of her father the Clarence B. Williams Award, which honors annually an outstanding Lower School resource teacher. In 2000, in memory of her mother, she created the Nell G.  Williams Science Fund to support Lower School science endeavors.

 

“It just seemed like a natural,” Burrell once said of her family’s beneficence. “John worked at Collegiate (as an adjunct coach) when he was in college and had such a good experience. Lisa had a wonderful experience. When I taught there, people were so good to me. Because of the atmosphere – the community, the interactions, the relationships – we became very dedicated to Collegiate.”

 

And, in no small measure, the Collegiate Family became dedicated to her, and no doubt those whose paths crossed hers will hold fast the indelible memories of her quiet strength, her compassion, her servant leadership, and her abiding commitment to others.

      ~ Weldon Bradshaw