By Alex Thalhimer

Does a math teacher need to be good at math? 

Upper School math teacher Beth Savarese, lovingly known as “Sav” by many students, believes this question has “a million different meanings.” 

Savarese was born in Oceanside, New York, and by the age of four, she had settled in northern Massachusetts. There, she attended local public elementary and junior high schools until transferring to the Pingree School, an independent school in Hamilton, Mass., for high school. According to Savarese, Pingree is structured similarly to Collegiate, stating that she “just loved my experience at Pingree.” 

While at Pingree, Savarese explored her athletic abilities, as she played soccer, volleyball, and even figure skated. Following high school, Savarese attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, because she valued the small community and the personal connection between students and professors.

Savarese found her passion in math, as she loved the satisfaction of completing math assignments. She described this as “nerdy,” because she could tell right away that her answers were correct. She explains that math “math didn’t always come easy to her” to her in school. So what made her chose math education? Well, she knew she wanted to teach since high school. Still to this day, she remembers the teachers and coaches that made an extensive impact on her life, especially her high school pre-calculus teacher, Mr. Mullen. He was a very patient teacher and always made sure his students were being supported in and out of the classroom.

Savarese returned to Pingree to teach after graduating from Holy Cross. She taught math courses during the day and coached varsity soccer, volleyball, and junior varsity lacrosse and softball. 

A few years later, in 2015, Savarese decided to move south. Richmond offered different and exciting experiences. At the time, Collegiate was not offering any new positions, so Savarese taught at The New Community School. While she enjoyed her time there, Savarese’s goal was to become a Cougar. In the fall of 2019, Savarese began teaching and coaching for Collegiate. 

Upper School math teacher Jan Rodgers met Savarese before the school year began, at summer volleyball tryouts. She describes her first impressions of Savarese as a “warm relational person” who “clearly loved working with students athletically, in addition to academically.” Past and present students are known to cherish Savarese. When asked about her, Angelo Parker (‘22) was filled with joy and said, “She’s an amazing teacher, always willing to work with her students and relate with them as well. She never walks into class without a smile on her face and definitely has one of the biggest hearts on campus.” 

Savarese alongside her 2021-2022 calculus class. Photo credit: Frances Thackston.

Last school year, Savarese taught me pre-calculus, and I could not imagine a better teacher to guide me through some of the most difficult math units I had ever encountered before. When students do not understand a concept, she is more than happy to try a different approach or explanation, as her teachers did when she was a student. 

2021 Collegiate girls volleyball at the LIS championship game. Photo credit: Gabby Chen.

In her first four years here, she has coached her sports teams to victory. Last year, the 2021 Collegiate’s girl’s varsity volleyball team won the League Independent School Championship for the first time in over 10 years, beating St. Catherine’s team in their own gym. Savarese said this day was “one of the most thrilling and exciting sports games that I have ever been a part of.” 

Scoobie. Photo credit: Beth Savarese.

If you know Savarese personally, you know Scoobie. Savarese got Scoobie, her golden retriever, in spring 2020 during the boring early quarantine days of COVID-19. Savarese is quick to clear up any confusion about where the name came from. No, she is not a die-hard Scooby-Doo fan, but she is one for multi-champion NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Scoobie is named after Brady’s beagle, only with a change in the “y → ie” spelling. The two girls love to spend their Saturdays at the farmers market in Bryan Park. 

Scoobie at daycare, posing for Pride Day. Photo credit: Beth Savarese.

While Savarese teaches at school, Scoobie goes to doggy daycare. Scoobie stays pampered and spoiled with love, as shown in dog photoshoots that Savarese happily shows on the Smart Board to begin class.

For a while, it was just Savarese and Scoobie, until one day Pete came along. Savarese and Pete met a little over a year ago, and are now engaged! (Scoobie approved.) Pete was born in Long Island, not far from where Savarese was born, but grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia. He played baseball at the University of Mary Washington and now works at Capital One. Luckily, he is also a dog lover with two dogs of his own, so Scoobie gained two four-legged friends. Pete and Sav are scheduled to wed November 11.

Savarese and her fiancé at dinner. Photo credit: Beth Savarese.

Savarese believes in a balanced life. Lately, she has been focusing on not stretching herself too thin, as life is particularly busy. If she finds downtime, she aims to be outside as much as possible, or with her colleagues as well. When possible, Savarese enjoys visiting her family up north, but Saturdays are set aside to enjoy time with the fiancé and dogs, with a little wedding planning periodically. Savarese also has a secret love for what she describes as “mindless TV,” such as Bravo TV. The Real Housewives franchise is one of her favorites. Savarese is also a shameless Boston Red Sox and Patriots fan. 

I, along with many other students and faculty members, appreciate Savarese and all of the hard work and support she has given to the Collegiate community, just in her four years. We hope to have her for many more!

Savarese, along with Upper School Spanish teacher Hannah Curley, and math teachers David Kelenbeck and BethAnn Bell, out on the golf course. Photo credit: Beth Savarese.