Scrivani, Winham Mix Professional Development with Personal Interests
Earlier this summer, two members of the Kimball Union Academy faculty were afforded the opportunity to pursue an extended, immersive experience to support their work and energize their relationships with students and colleagues.
Launched in 2023, the KUA Summer Sabbatical program allows faculty members to embark on an experience of their choosing following the conclusion of the academic year. The program was funded through an anonymous gift that provides faculty with grants of up to $8,000 to pursue their interests.
Mathematics teacher and boys’ varsity tennis coach Sam Scrivani and fellow mathematics teacher and Dean of Residential Life Scott Winham P’25 received this year’s sabbatical grants.
Sam Scrivani
As KUA’s varsity tennis coach for the past seven seasons, Scrivani sought to improve his on-court tutelage by obtaining Level I tennis instructor certification through the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). Level I certification, according to the USPTA, is ideal for high-school coaches in that it focuses on fundamentals for beginner and intermediate players, group instruction, and methods to enhance engagement.
In addition to certification, Scrivani also had the opportunity to observe top-tier coaches in action as they worked alongside worldclass tennis players at the Wimbledon Championships. Widely regarded as the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Scrivani attended the early rounds of the event — held between June 30 and July 13 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club — in what was his first trip to Europe.
“The highlight of the trip was unexpectedly getting into Centre Court, the most iconic tennis court in the world, to watch the world’s top-ranked player in Jannik Sinner fight back from two sets down to beat Gregor Dimitrov,” Scrivani said. “It was an unbelievable experience.”
Scrivani said his sabbatical will help enhance his ability to build positive relationships with student-athletes through improved coaching techniques, and offer a more supportive and engaging learning environment both on the tennis court and in the classroom.
Scott Winham P’25
Passionate about groundbreaking ideas, Winham sought to explore new cutting-edge STEM like he had as an undergraduate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). So, when presented with an opportunity to reconnect with his love of innovation and those who push the boundaries of knowledge, Winham knew directly where to turn.
Over a span of two weeks, Winham and his family visited Geneva, Switzerland where they toured both the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), two entities widely known for their forward thinking and pursuit of the betterment of mankind.
“As an MIT graduate, I remember the excitement of being surrounded by groundbreaking ideas and people pushing the boundaries of knowledge,” said Winham, who’s worked at KUA since 2019. “Visiting CERN, the WTO, and the United Nations were incredible opportunities to reconnect with the world of discovery and innovation, see scientists and engineers tackling some of the biggest questions about the universe, and experience collaboration at the highest levels.”
The trip also came with added sentimental value to Winham, whose uncle, Dr. Gilbert Winham, spent significant time in Geneva teaching economic workshops and helping nations navigate the process of joining the WTO. Winham said the opportunity to walk in his uncle’s footsteps and gain a deeper understanding of his work not only inspired him personally but also provided him new ideas to incorporate into the classroom and beyond.