HRA faculty honored with first Wythe W. & Mary A. Holt Faculty Award

This annual endowment award is presented to select HRA faculty members who are pursuing further learning opportunities, international travel experiences or research that will enhance their classroom teaching. The award was given to Middle School teachers, Trent Smith and Pete Teagle.

Trent Smith, a new fifth grade reading and ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, plans to use his grant to travel to China to study its culture and traditions. Smith, who also serves as International Residence Coordinator for HRA’s international program, most of whom are Chinese, hopes that this hands-on research will help him build a better connection with his students.

“I think it is essential for us because we have such a strong international program currently that will only continue to get stronger with this type of experience,” said Smith.

Pete Teagle, a seventh grade geography and eighth grade history teacher, plans to visit the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to research his family’s connection to the war. Teagle, who has worked at Hampton Roads Academy for more than ten years, hopes his findings will help his students better understand the war through his personal ties.

“History is really about individuals, more than it is collectively about a society,” said Teagle. “I’m trying to find this information and bring it in to my students so I can share my story.”

The Wythe W. & Mary Holt Endowment was established by Mary A. Holt upon her passing. The Holt family has long been a part of the Hampton Roads Academy community. Wythe W. served as one of the founding members of HRA and many of their children and grandchildren attended the school. Their oldest son John Holt, was present at the announcement with his wife Margie and two siblings Polly and Wythe Jr. John sees the endowment as a benefit to both teachers and students.

“I would hope that it will give them a more in-depth understanding of their subject and that they can come back and impart that knowledge in their classroom,” said John Holt.

Headmaster Peter W. Mertz believes that the Wythe W. & Mary A. Holt award will continue to inspire faculty at Hampton Roads Academy.

“We are fortunate to have this ongoing opportunity for our faculty through the vision of the Holt family,” said Mertz. “One of the key elements of excellence in our faculty is our commitment to model all of the very best traits we wish to develop in our students.”