If you’ve taken a high school science class at Madison Country Day School, chances are you’ve heard veteran IB Science teacher Raymond Nall say, “The sun will always rise tomorrow.”
“Life goes on regardless of how you do on a test,” Nall explained in an interview. “It’s always a good thing to remember.”
Now in his ninth year at MCDS, and retiring after this academic year, Nall has seen the school evolve, especially with the growth of the IB program, but his experience with IB goes back much further. He’s been teaching IB science since 1999.
“Mr. Nall is a great colleague,” Science Department Chair Dr. Rachael Lancor said. “It’s really fun to collaborate with him and brainstorm ideas for labs and experiments.”
Before coming to MCDS, Nall taught at Seoul International School and Bisbee High School in Arizona, where he focused on a traditional American curriculum, including AP Physics.
A senior prank during his time at Shanghai American School still makes him laugh.
“Right outside my classroom, the seniors played a prank,” Nall said. The students put four greased piglets in a playpen that was built to collapse if someone tried to open the gate. “The structure gave way, and the piglets ran in every direction,” he recalled, laughing.
Nall said he has loved science for a long time, even before he began teaching. He said his Earth Science teacher, Mr. Warric, sparked the interest that led him to earn a degree in geophysics and work in geotechnical engineering. “He had a huge impact on me,” Nall said of his former teacher.
“Sharing my love for science and math with students” is Nall’s favorite part of teaching, he said. “That amazing ‘aha’ moment students get when they finally understand something,” is what keeps him inspired, he said.
The biggest lesson he said he has learned from students? “Not to take life too seriously.”
Outside of school, you might find him skiing on a snow day or enjoying a simple latte to power through a busy schedule. Also, as the supervisor of the MCDS community service club, he often volunteers in the Madison area.
“Mr. Nall has inspired me because he is always giving back to his community.” Quinn ’28 said. “Watching him do community work has made me want to do the same thing and lead with kindness in my everyday life. “
“If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will,” Nall said.
