Founded in 1977, Western Albemarle has produced nearly fifty years of graduates. This sizable alumni pool contains doctors, actors, Division 1 athletes, and one very special AP Government teacher: Western’s very own Mr. Walker Richmond.
Prior to his graduation in the spring of 1991, Richmond was deeply involved in many aspects of Western life. He was a member of the JV soccer team, a member of the varsity tennis team, and a frequent participant in theater and drama productions. He recalled his part in a freshman year performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which he said gave him the chance to experience the confidence-building camaraderie amongst the cast and crew.
Academically, Richmond’s favorite class was U.S. History. “I had an amazing teacher named Scovie Martin, and he really nurtured my curiosity about the past, and helped me understand how the past is relevant to the present,” he said. While teaching was never an interest of his in high school, Richmond credited his Western experience with opening his eyes to the educational profession: “I was very inspired by several of my teachers at Western, I’m sure they planted the seed of my eventual becoming a teacher.”
Richmond attended Dartmouth College following his graduation from Western, and majored in history. Following college, he got his first teaching position at a Jesuit school in Boston. It was there that he began to realize his passion for education. “There’s two things,” Richmond said. “Teaching brings me joy, I enjoy interacting with students, there’s variety, and every day is different. And teaching feels meaningful — a meaningful contribution to our society.” Richmond returned to Charlottesville to attend law school at the University of Virginia in 2001, before working as a lawyer alongside his father for nine years. But eventually, his passion for education won out, and he returned to Western, this time as a teacher.
Many changes have come to Western since Richmond was a student. Richmond laments the influence the digital age has had on his former school. “It used to be harder to distract yourself, and you were forced to interact more with your peers,” he said. “I miss living in a culture where we don’t have a screen to turn to.” He also happily noted some positive developments since his time. “I love seeing theme dressups for sporting events — we didn’t have that,” he said. Despite all these changes, Richmond feels the heart of the school community remains intact. “I’ve always felt the strength of Western is its arts programs — music, theater, drama — and that Western students find joy and meaning in the arts.” He stressed that in an age when technology is revolutionizing education, it is even more critical to stay true to the spirit of the school.
Richmond now has three children, all of whom are either currently enrolled at Western or will attend it in the future. He hopes Western will provide his kids with the same rewarding experience that he had, over thirty years ago. As for himself, Richmond says it seems fitting that he found his way back to Western. “I’m kind of a sentimental person, so it feels good to return to my roots. I feel like Western shaped me as a person, so it’s good to return to the place that shaped me.”
