After 34 years of teaching, Bill Sedgwick, a math teacher, is retiring after spending the last nine years of his career at WHHS.
Through the years, Mr. Sedgwick has impacted students from Hyde Park to Mason.
“He will always be known as being such a charismatic and kind man,” Caylie White, ’27, said. “I will always be honored to have Mr. Sedgwick as a teacher before he leaves, and I feel that as a student at WHHS, it can be a struggle to keep up, but Mr. Sedgwick will guide you through it all. ”
Sedgwick’s journey started at Glen Este High School in Cincinnati; he knew he wanted to be a teacher by his sophomore year.
Even though he became a mathematics teacher, he actually majored in English and minored in mathematics at Xavier University.
Though this is not where he planned to be, his innovative teaching methods have kept him in the math department.
“He opens up the second half of the class to get your homework done, which is so helpful, especially with graduation and college admissions,” Shafer said. “I’ve been able to get all of my homework done in class and ask questions [to] clear up a lot of the issues I have when computing mathematical information.”
Many students cherish their appreciation for Sedgwick through the memories they’ve made. Landen McDaniel, ‘26, feels a genuine connection with Sedgwick, molded through sports.
“I think after the Moeller basketball game, he used a picture of me dunking as his screensaver; it was really cool,” McDaniel said.
Leaving such a lasting impact on students can be difficult, but Sedgwick manages it through dedication. Though his time teaching is ending, his time for learning and traveling is now beginning.
“I plan to do a little traveling, and I plan to do more community service,” Sedgwick said. “And maybe even work, I don’t know. Definitely traveling and more community service.”
However, before he begins his travels, on May 6, the winner of the Western and Southern Hawkins Award will be announced. A distinguished honor for any teacher nominated, and Sedgwick happens to be a finalist for the Educator of the Year award.
“Being named the finalist for the Hawkins award was probably the proudest moment of my career; I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Sedgwick said.
Throughout his tenure, he has not only taught countless students the intricacies of mathematics and English, but has also instilled a deep appreciation and love for the subject into his students.
“It’s a great place to end my career,” Sedgwick said. “The students are well behaved, and the math department is great to work with. I love the members of the math department; it’s the best math department I’ve worked with in my whole career.”
“We always give him fist bumps after class every day in the hallways every day, and it’s just very fun, and it’s nice to be close to a teacher and have a good, positive relationship with your teacher,” Shafer said.