VaHomeschoolers celebrates the life of William Shaw, who passed away April 2, 2025, after a battle with cancer. He championed the right of all parents/guardians in Virginia to choose homeschooling as a means to educate their children. Along with Jay Phaup, Will co-founded VaHomeschoolers in 1993, though it was originally named Virginia Home Education Association (VHEA). At that time, Will was lobbying the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of several homeschool groups. His purpose in founding this organization was to consolidate their efforts.As a result, Virginia’s code of law has been gradually modified during the past 30 years, more clearly and precisely defining homeschooling rights and requirements.

In addition, Will emphasized the need to continue to monitor future legislation, not only watching for intentional changes but also to be on the lookout for unintentional harm to homeschooling rights through poorly worded legislative bills. One example from the past is a bill dealing with school truancy which inadvertently would have prevented homeschooled children from being out anywhere in public during school hours. This drastic infringement of rights was averted because VaHomeschoolers drew attention to the need for more precise language in the bill. Obviously, it is much easier and more efficient to fix language before such bills become part of the code of law. Building a working relationship with legislators was important to Will, to keep them aware and mindful of the existence and the needs of homeschoolers as the legislators draft new bills or modify existing law. One strategy Will taught was the importance of focusing on a single cause when trying to enlist the cooperation of legislators. If an organization promotes two different causes, the chance of success is limited to winning support only of legislators who support both. Given the difficulty of getting a majority of legislators to agree on any issue, choosing a single issue to promote greatly improves the chance of success.

Will described himself as a conservative Christian, yet wanted the organization he founded to give homeschooling information and support to all Virginia residents. Beyond that, he deliberately chose not to require any sort of “statement of faith” from volunteers who wished to help lead the organization. He was also a naturalist with a keen interest in native plants. He was known to grow Virginia native plants from seed, with the intention of gifting them to others, and lead nature walks in his community.

In honor of Will’s life, let’s be vigilant in monitoring the actions of the Virginia General Assembly, keep watch over the school divisions to see that they faithfully follow the Virginia code of law with respect to homeschooling, and embrace the outdoors in appreciation of the beauty of spring in Virginia. This remembrance was contributed by Lois Curling, VaHomeschoolers member, Treasurer, and member of the Board of Directors.

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Will Shaw was a squeaky wheel. Not one that longs for greasing so that it can retreat to its obsequious role as part of The Machine. No, Will Shaw, sought to understand, and often challenge, the status quo. Whether in the halls of government or in the halls of the University of Viriginia where he worked as a facilities management administrator, Will questioned – concerned not only for his own rights, but the rights of those less inquisitive and vocal. For a time, he worked with my husband Paul; they respected each other as agents of change. This fortunate path-crossing brought a remarkable man into my life. As a long-time home educator, I knew of Will’s role in founding VA Homeschoolers, which was still a fledgling organization in the late 1990’s when we moved to the area. His persona, to me, was somewhat mythological. A founding father, if you will, whose legacy benefited me, but with whom I had no personal contact or context. He was a faceless name until we got The Invitation, a coveted opportunity to visit Will in his native environment – home. My kids and I joined another homeschool family that we knew for a sun-drenched tour of one of Will’s favorite places – his land. He held nothing back, his enthusiasm and our keen interest building on each other. There were many questions asked, but they were hardly needed. Will was in his element, employing his story-telling skills to introduce us to the home place he knew so well. I remember several distinct areas of the property and, in my memory, each has become connected with an aspect of Will’s personality. Upon arriving, we parked and gathered in preparation for our outing. The children were generally younger and my older daughter was something of a tag-along – a sometimes-awkward position for a teen; not yet an adult, but without doubt beyond the romping tendencies of the other children. After making introductions, Will began his opening remarks, accompanied by an unexpected act of generosity. He presented my teen with a pocket knife, an act that signaled to all, but most importantly to her, that he acknowledged her more mature status within the group. It was an eloquent action that reflected both keen awareness and sensitivity. She still has the knife. As our walk began, Will pointed out that we were in a tree nursery, evidenced by numerous and varied saplings. I specifically remember the crab apple trees and Will’s admonition to plant crab apples trees near your apple trees for better pollination and productivity. I inquired where I might buy a crab apple tree and Will delightedly shared that he had not purchased any of the trees – they were all planted from seed! He simply estimated the number of seeds that might be needed for a successful germination – a LOT – and planted enough seeds to beat the odds. His process demonstrated his perseverance, curiosity, and trust in nature’s design. Walking along the wooded path, he identified native plants while telling stories. He explained why the thin-barked beech is the preferred tree of young lovers eager to record their sentiments for posterity. He recalled his own adventures as a homeschool dad – I can’t quite recall the details, but the results were incendiary or explosive, creating the desired impressive result. Both memories remind me that Will had a mischievous side – and felt pleased with himself for stepping “out of the box,” even if it made others squirm with fright or delight. Walking alongside the creek, he reflected on his experience with beavers in the area, revealing his commitment and interest in honoring the lovely part of the earth under his stewardship. Eventually, we returned to an area near the house where we encountered a beautiful, moss-covered retaining wall, transformed from its utilitarian materials and purpose, by layers of moss and pockets of native plants. Always willing to share his hard-earned wisdom, he explained his method for encouraging a process that may have occurred naturally over a long period of time. It involved yogurt, moss, a blender, and an application of the resulting goo. Be sure, Will warned, to use a dedicated blender – not the one from your kitchen! I am curious whether that piece of wisdom was the result of forethought or experience? I am thankful for the day that I enjoyed with Will Shaw on his beautiful land and from that day forward, I never missed an opportunity to greet him “in the wild” or share lunch with him at a VaHomeschoolers conference. He is a remarkable, memorable person – dare I say character? – who knew that he was put here to make a difference, and he did. Whether in the halls of government or on a patch of land in Louisa County, Will committed himself to making the world a better place. I appreciate his willingness to squeak on behalf of all homeschoolers; his legacy includes lessons in generosity, curiosity, patience, perseverance, and a sense of fun. This remembrance was contributed by Sarah Zmick, VaHomeschoolers member.

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Opinions expressed by individual writers in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Directors of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, nor do they represent an official position of VaHomeschoolers. Writers’ views are their own, and readers are encouraged to research and explore homeschooling issues to their own satisfaction.