Jared Willerson is teaching history at the Upper School in addition to serving as head volleyball coach and assistant boys' basketball coach.
Willerson holds a B.S. in Business Finance from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga and an M.A. in Teaching, Learning and Corporate Training from Lee University. Willerson has taught economics at Chickamauga City Schools for the past 14 years. He has also coached basketball, volleyball and golf, most recently creating a nationally ranked men's golf program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
“It is exciting to add a member to the history department whose background allows us to add two new courses to the Upper School curriculum, economics and human geography,” said Matt Peer, Upper School director. “Jared has made an immediate impact already on the volleyball court and I look forward to seeing the great iPeriod offerings that his background in athletics and economics will allow us to offer.”
Willerson’s career didn’t begin in education, but historic events led to his calling to the classroom.
“My entry to teaching is quite unique,” said the history teacher. “I was working for an international gas and chemical company that required me to travel quite extensively. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I happened to be in the air, en route to Philadelphia for a corporate meeting. Events occurred that had me landing in Richmond and the pandemonium that ensued inspired me to make a difference. Within a year, I had made up my mind to be a teacher and hopefully, on some level, make a difference in this world.”
In his free time, Willerson is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling.
“My goal is to play a golf course on every continent within the next five years, and I’m halfway there!” he said. “I also enjoy reading, especially historical biographies (Alexander Hamilton is my favorite!), political works, and cheesy, spy fiction. I can't get enough of Le Carre or Vince Flynn. I average reading two to three books per week usually revolving around those subjects.”
The Darlington Community and traditions are what drew Willerson to the school.
“What I look forward to the most is building relationships, the relationships that build a stronger community and a better Darlington School,” said Willerson. “Organizations thrive on building trust between coach, teacher and student/athlete. I hope to contribute to that endeavor in many ways, both in the classroom and on the playing surface. I also value success; it is my intent to build and sustain a quality volleyball program at Darlington, one that exemplifies the very best that Darlington can offer.”
Willerson and his wife Roni live in Rome and their four children attend Darlington: Hannah ('19), Gracie ('22), Will ('27), and Kate ('29).
