Waiting for classrooms to fill up, Bill Conn monitors the hallways of Williamsburg Independent School while laughing and talking with his colleagues. He teaches computer science and technology classes and is well loved by students and faculty.
Bill is a third-generation teacher at Williamsburg Independent Schools and a fifth-generation teacher in his family lineage. His wife, Rebecca Conn, says "he bleeds orange" and the school "is in his veins."
In his 20 years of teaching, Bill has introduced four programs for students, including Lego Robotics, TSA, Cyber Patriots, and Williamsburg's first Esports League. He also pulled the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) out of retirement.
Payton White, 14, who is part of both STLP and TSA, says, "Mr. Conn is one of my biggest mentors. He treats me with respect and gives me opportunities and I have respect for him." Inspired by his mentor, Payton says he dreams of going into the Air Force Reserve for cybersecurity.
The son and grandson of Williamsburg teachers, Bill grew up around the school. "I'm in a yearbook from 1984 when I was 2 years old being held by my grandfather and the caption saying 'welcome Billy K'." Bill wants his kids to be a part of the legacy. "Our family has a longstanding tradition of graduating from here. I want my kids to be a part of that."
As much as Bill is committed to the school, he's just as committed to his community.
He has lived in Williamsburg all of his 41 years and doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon. He is a deacon at First Baptist Church of Williamsburg. His wife, Rebecca, works there as an office administrator and his mom, Meg Allison Judd, volunteers. When Bill wanted to do an activity with his sons, Zechariah, 11, and Tobias, 6, he created the Scouts program for his town.
Even though he lives and breathes his school, "I recognize when it's my time to go," Bill says. "I don't want to lose my effectiveness with the students."
Although he will be eligible to retire from teaching at age 48, he doesn't want to wait that long. "I don't feel my future prospects of being hired into a career that I'm very much interested in will be there." He believes his prospects are better at 41. "It's time to make a change."
While he doesn't plan to move away from Williamsburg, Bill has decided to retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year to pursue a job in cybersecurity. He says he wants to work either with the Air Force Reserve or Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
It’s going to be a tough goodbye as he moves on to the next chapter in his life.
"I will miss the relationships with the students," he says. "I get to reach kids that might go unnoticed, but they don't go unnoticed with me."
After helping Hadleigh Leach, 10, Bill (or Mr. Conn, as she calls him) fist bump as a way to say good job. Often Bill will fist bump his students after they complete the issue that they were having by saying “give me knuckles.”
After the conclusion of the after-school TSA meeting, Jericho Howard, 14 (from left), Payton White, 14, and Sawyer Morin, 14, follow Bill out of the school. Bill is a mentor for these boys. “I’m here as a guide just as people guided me,” Bill says.
Before school starts, Bill joins a prayer circle with Katie Waltz (from left), Jenna Dople and Alicia Whitworth. Bill is a deacon and devout member of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
While walking through the pews of his church, Bill hears music playing at the lower level of the sanctuary. He grew up in the this building. "When my mom was a single mom, the people here used to look after me . . . back when they had daycare.”
Rebel Chavez, 6, mimics the scout salute to the American flag as Bill explains its importance. Bill created the Cub Scouts program two years ago as an activity to do with his sons.
After the conclusion of the Cub Scouts meeting, Bill extinguishes a bonfire he created for the kids to roast marshmallows for s'mores. His son Tobias Conn (far left), 6, watches the flames go out as Terry Lopez talks to Bill about the next pack meeting. Paul Dengel (far right) picks up wooden sticks used for the roast.
During the big homecoming game, Bill and his wife, Rebecca Conn, share a joke with each other. They have been married for 16 years and together for almost two decades.
Outside their family home, Bill spends time with his older son, Zechariah Conn, 11 (from left), Rebecca and Tobias. The Conn family have two outdoor kittens, Moonlight and Sweetie Pie, that they enjoy playing with.
"I know it's my time to go, but a part of me is sad in saying goodbye to this role," Bill says. "Now I get my new wings where I'm just an alumni and a parent."