By all accounts, Colin Stanhope loved his years at Hersey High School. Before graduating in 2022, he participated in everything from the marching band and jazz band, to the boys’ tennis team. Inside the classroom, he excelled, eventually being named to the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society, and all before he was named a National Merit Finalist.
Hersey business teacher, Colin Stanhope
Last month, he returned to Hersey as a first-year teacher in the business department, teaching personal finance and marketing, while also serving as a DECA advisor. At Hersey, this business club helps students prepare for a career in business while also competing statewide.
Stanhope earned degrees in history and education at the University of Illinois, where he also was an active student and participated in its marching and basketball bands. He also did his student teaching at Champaign Central High School, where the experience helped shape his philosophy of what he wanted students to learn in — and out — of the classroom.
“I hope my students take away not just content knowledge, but a global awareness and critical thinking skills that they can use as they apply to college and enter their lives as young adults beyond my classroom,” Stanhope says. “Ideally, students will learn how to collaborate, problem solve and communicate their ideas compellingly.
“The problems that students will encounter in 2026 are very different from those of previous generations, and as teachers, we need to adapt our approach to prepare this generation of students for the future that they will face,” he adds. “I love using technology in the classroom and finding ways to bring in real-world case studies whenever possible.”
One of the joys of returning to his alma mater, he says, is teaching alongside some of his own teachers, now as colleagues. Stanhope points to one of his former tennis coaches, Rob Pihl, whose math classroom is across the hall, as well as Jackie Ballerina’s math class. Stanhope also is planning a course in collaboration with his former social studies teacher, Brian Kemp.
“I’ve had so many funny conversations during the first week of the school year and on our institute days,” Stanhope says. “Everyone has been so welcoming and willing to offer advice, that I feel very supported at Hersey.”
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