In honor of Women’s History Month, Clover Hill puts the spotlight on one of the school’s beloved physical and driver’s education teachers, Ann-Harris Collyer. Although married, many students and faculty better know her maiden name, Lambert. Collyer does behind the wheel with students, helping many gain their licenses and paving the way for the new driver’s of Chesterfield, VA.
Collyer started teaching at JEJ Moore Middle school in Prince George county. That is where she learned to build relationships with students and become the teacher that she is today. At JEJ Moore, she coached field hockey and had successful teams, which brought her over to Clover Hill.
“Even though I am not coaching now, I have really gotten into the Behind The Wheel program at school,” Collyer said.
The main motivator for Collyer teaching is her students, who she compares to as her own children. She enjoys teaching students skills that they will need in the real world, like driving. Caring for and teaching her students is Collyer’s favorite part of the job.
“My favorite part of teaching is my kids [students], just being able to teach students things that they will need and use,” Collyer said.
Collyer went to Longwood University to get a degree in Health and Physical Education. The reason she became an educator is because her mom was also a teacher. Although her mom taught 1st grade, Collyer’s interest in sports led her to Physical Education and coaching field hockey and soccer.
Outside of school you can find Collyer grading papers, going to pilates, gardening, watching Netflix, and having a good night by her fireplace.
“Believe it or not, I keep a lot of plants in my house, I have my tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, peppers,” Collyer said. “I even tried during covid, putting my garden in the school garden, even though everyone took my vegetables, but I love to garden, it’s fun.”
Collyer is a very positive influence in our community, helping students in any way possible. The amount she cares about: students, her kids, the staff, and the school as a whole is respectable and makes her the perfect woman to put the spotlight on for Women’s History Month.
“I try to be positive and with the school community, I just make sure to build positive relationships with students and faculty and try to be helpful when anyone needs something,” Collyer said. “I try to do my best by everybody and try to be a good role model for my kids.”
