“The Very Best of Wheeler”: Bob Schmidt Named the Latest Endowed Chair for Excellence in Upper School Teaching
January 6, 2026
“It’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever experienced, to be voted on by your peers,” says Upper School Teacher of Science Bob Schmidt P’14, P’16. He’s referring to his selection as the latest endowed chair for excellence in Upper School teaching, an honor that he describes as “a climax to my career.”
To be named chair, recipients need to have worked at Wheeler for at least ten years while serving as an exemplary teacher, exceptional advisor to both individual students and student organizations, and a dedicated and supportive colleague and member of the school community. Each recipient is voted on by their peers.
One of those peers is fellow Upper School Teacher of Science Sarah Berthiaume Leduc P’32, who preceded Mr. Schmidt as endowed chair. Ms. B says he is an exceptional member of the science department – and an exceptional recipient for numerous reasons: “He has mentored countless colleagues and has taught a wide range of science courses at both the Middle and Upper School levels. Beyond his teaching, he provides invaluable guidance to fellow educators, offering support in curriculum design and instructional strategies. Bob’s mentorship has strengthened the department’s teaching community, fostering professional growth and a shared commitment to excellence in science education.
“His breadth of experience and deep expertise as a science educator have played a central role in shaping our curriculum and strengthening the overall program, particularly in the development of our Environmental Science courses,” Ms. B continues. “In addition to his contributions to core science courses, Bob has played a central role in developing our elective program. His vision and creativity have expanded the range of advanced and interest-driven offerings available to students, allowing them to explore specialized areas of science in greater depth. These electives enrich the curriculum and inspire students to pursue scientific inquiry beyond the foundational sequence. Many of his students, inspired by their experiences in Bob’s elective courses, went on to pursue careers in these areas of science after Wheeler.”
Mr. Schmidt has taught and advised generations of Wheeler students and mentored many colleagues over his 35 school years at Wheeler. Over the decades, he’s worked across divisions and areas of focus, from Middle School science in Hamilton to A.P. Environmental Science in the Upper School.
No matter the grade or topic, “Bob is one of the most committed, passionate educators I’ve encountered,” says Head of Upper School Neeltje Henneman. “He meets every student where they are, designs rigorous and inspiring lessons, provides thoughtful support, and works tirelessly to make the curriculum meaningful and relevant. His commitment to his students and his passion for Environmental Science are unparallelled.”
That same commitment and passion extends beyond the classroom and onto the athletic fields at Wheeler. Mr. Schmidt coached the Girls Varsity Basketball team to a New England championship in 1998, and this year, he’s taking his second trip around the bases as coach of the Varsity Softball team. “Having someone like Coach Schmidt on our coaching staff is pretty spectacular,” says Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ’02, P’35, P’37. “He represents the very best of Wheeler and Wheeler athletics. In addition to being a veteran coach with a resume full of championship teams, he treats the athletic space like a classroom. Win or lose, our student-athletes have an experience playing for Coach Schmidt that mirrors the excellence Wheeler exhibits day-to-day.”
No matter the day, Mr. Schmidt’s spouse, English Teacher Annie Funnell P’14, P’16, who is the Jason and Carly Siperstein Master Teacher Chair (talk about a power couple), says no one does more – or literally goes further – for students than he does. “He still takes field trips all the time and is always planning incredible experiences in support of students’ learning,” Ms. Funnell says. “He’s taken kids to the Galapagos Islands, and to Iceland four times! He’s also the best advisor in this school,” she adds.
Mr. Schmidt says he’s happy to do whatever – and go wherever – to build student connections. “That’s always been my strength,” he says. “I want to be firm, fair, and consistent, whether in my classes or my coaching, and I love connecting with the kids in both places. They keep it fresh every year, and it’s always like a whole new thing. They bring me the new culture that’s out there, they share their hopes and dreams, and I get to see how everything changes over time.”
But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed over the decades for the latest endowed chair for excellence in Upper School teaching: “I don’t ever call it work,” Mr. Schmidt says. “I’m just excited to be a part of the Wheeler community which has been such an inspirational and supportive place for me to grow personally and professionally for so long. I don’t feel like I’ve technically worked a day in my life. How many can say that in the twilight of their careers?”
The endowed chair for excellence in Upper School teaching, first established in 2002, is one of two endowed chairs that recognize Wheeler’s outstanding faculty. (The other is the Jason and Carly Siperstein master teacher chair, which, as shared earlier in this story, is currently held by Annie Funnell.) These high honors are made possible by donors who establish funds within Wheeler’s endowment to support teaching excellence in perpetuity. Those endowed gifts are carefully stewarded and invested with the rest of the school’s endowment, and the annual earnings are used to strengthen faculty compensation and recognize outstanding educators year after year. The chairs help Wheeler attract, reward, and retain extraordinary faculty, ensuring that teaching excellence remains at the heart of the student experience for generations to come.
