Stewart with her certificate for swimming the English Channel in 1976
In Jamee Stewart’s class, you might try a back handspring or the backstroke, but you’re most certainly going to be moved by your professor’s encouragement to dream big.
Stewart is the department chair for ACC’s Health and Kinesiology Program and teaches swimming, gymnastics, and health. She has dedicated her life to teaching students to be active and to accomplish their goals – and Stewart leads by example, with one of swimming’s biggest feats on her resume. At 26 years old, Stewart became the first Texas woman to swim the English Channel.
“As the daughter of two swim instructors, swimming the English Channel was a dream I kept in my head since I was a little girl,” says Stewart.
Growing up, Stewart admired Florence Chadwick, a former classmate of her mother’s and the first American swimmer to cross the English Channel in both directions. Stewart wanted to swim competitively at her Corpus Christi high school, but that was before Title IX, which banned sex discrimination in school athletics. Instead, she competed in the Amateur Athletic Union and won the state championship in the butterfly stroke. While Stewart studied at the University of Texas, there was not a women’s swim team, and women weren’t even permitted to swim in the main gym. Male swimmers, however, did at times train in the ladies’ gym. That’s how Stewart met her now-husband of 41 years, Charlie Stewart, an adjunct professor of psychology and statistics at ACC.
Stewart swimming Loch Ness in 1977
“Since I couldn’t compete as a swimmer at the University of Texas, after I graduated I decided I needed to do something more,” says Stewart. “So my husband encouraged me to go try to swim the Channel.”
Stewart wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge. She embarked upon a demanding long-term training program, swimming four to six hours each day in the 68-degree water of Barton Springs.
“You have to swim in the cold for sure to build up a tolerance,” notes Stewart.
But Barton Springs is warm compared to the English Channel, which is 58 degrees. Channel swimmers can’t rely on wetsuits to keep warm – they’re considered flotation devices and not allowed.
After 12 years of total preparation and two years of serious distance training, Stewart plunged into the Channel July 21, 1976, with husband Charlie in a boat alongside her. She fought heavy winds and tumultuous waters, with the last half mile of the swim taking her three hours because of the forceful tide from the French coast.
“I lost 12 pounds swimming, and my husband lost 12 pounds from being seasick on the boat in that rough water!” says Stewart.
Stewart stepped on to the beach in Cap Gris Nez, in northern France, 14 hours and 31 minutes after beginning the 21-mile journey. But her aquatic adventures weren’t over: she’s also swum Capri to Naples, Italy; Scotland’s famous Loch Ness; Lac Saint-Jean in Quebec, Canada; and Lake Michigan.
Stewart shows off her gymnastic ability on the trampoline at Northridge
Stewart began her professional career as a coach in the Leander, Houston, and Austin school districts. In 1980, she joined ACC, and some 30 years later, her athletic abilities remain the envy of the twenty-somethings she often teaches. They watch in awe as she demonstrates her prowess on the trampoline at Northridge Campus. Charlie Stewart, who helps out with his wife’s gymnastics class between his own classes, seems a bit in awe himself.
“She knows how to motivate people to get them moving,” he says. “Someone once said she can trick people into working out. As a professor, she focuses on fundamentals and can work with all skill levels. She is very good about getting people enthusiastic about gymnastics and swimming because she participates with them.”
Stewart definitely inspires student Joseph Rodriguez. He had never set foot in a gymnastics class before this semester and is already performing a front handspring on his own.
Stewart spots a student in her gymnastics class
“So many of us said ‘I can’t’ on the first day, and what Professor Stewart said is that all of us can do it,” recalls Rodriguez. “You just have to break it into parts and build on it.”
That’s Stewart’s advice whether her students aspire to make it through a gymnastics class or follow her lead across the English Channel. And she reminds students that wherever life takes them, it all starts at ACC.
“I always tell my students to not waver,” says Stewart. “You need to graduate to get the respect you deserve. Don’t let life bog you down from achieving that diploma. You have to go the distance.”
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By Melissa Wagner May 12, 2011 - 9:20 pm
I love this! I’ve known Jamee since I was 9 years old…I’m 30 now. It’s great to see her amazing accomplishment on here! I was signing into my Blackboard account and saw Jamee’s face….had to stop and check it out. Great to see her get this recognition! You go Jamee!
Melissa
By Kristin May 12, 2011 - 11:25 pm
Wow, as a student I am amazed. Not only is she one of the most positive people I have met, she’s also very modest. Very inspiring!! =)
By Xenia Perry May 13, 2011 - 9:00 am
Wow, how cool is that?
By Yvonne Estes May 13, 2011 - 10:49 am
Jamee, you are amazing! I remember seeing your picture on the front page of the Statesman crossing the finish line of the Capital 10,000. You were holding the hands of a married couple of ACC students, both blind, that you had inspired to run the race with you. Can you dig up that photo? We’d all love to see it again!
Yvonne
By Erica Breedlove May 13, 2011 - 11:58 am
Absolutely Awesome Jamee! I can’t wait to share your story with my family.
By Lucy Arroyo May 13, 2011 - 1:40 pm
Wow Jamee; I didn’t know you had so many wonderful achievements under your belt. I am so proud of you.
By Rosy Gaddy May 13, 2011 - 2:36 pm
Inspiring!
By Patricia Dungan May 13, 2011 - 2:37 pm
Way to go Jamee!
By Ursula May 13, 2011 - 6:09 pm
As mentor, role model, and substitute mom, Jamee has taught, molded, and inspired many of us to aspire to be more than we think we can be. She truly is special!!!
By Patti Gagne May 13, 2011 - 8:49 pm
I had no idea of what happened pre- Title IX; it’s great to get the full story. Jamee is truly amazing, and an inspiration to us all. It’s about time she got some recognition.
By Jose Bustamante May 14, 2011 - 12:31 pm
Hi Jamee,
Not only did you swim across the English Channel but you encouraged me to “swim” across the Rio Grande and offered help and support through the years. A truly inspiring human being.
You are a treasure and lucky for all of us not in the bottom of the ocean!
Con Cariño,
Jose
By Shirin Khosropour May 15, 2011 - 1:02 pm
I’ve know Charlie Stewart as a colleague for years and am just learning about his awesome wife. What an awesome couple–both inspiring professors!
They are ACC –and I feel lucky to be ACC too!
By Barry May 15, 2011 - 8:31 pm
She is truly AMAZING!!! To add to the long list of her amazing accomplishments is the one major challenge of teaching me how to swim! Never did she lose her patience or encouraging words in helping me beat my fear of swimming. She did the impossible:) Truly a gem! The only thing greater than her stellar list of acheivements is the kindness of her heart. Truly a wonderful person!
By Eileen Klein May 16, 2011 - 8:08 am
How fortunate for ACC students to have the opportunity to be taught by a world class athlete!
By Katy Gott May 16, 2011 - 8:24 am
I know Jamee to be a great person whom everyone admires. She does inspire all of us and especially the children under her wing. She was my daughter’s swim team coach and I saw the difference the she made in all their lives. Jamee, you are an awesome friend and ACC and I are blessed to have you in our lives.
Katy
By Andres R May 16, 2011 - 6:06 pm
i took her swimming class and it was tons of fun! i learned so much and it is awesome how she push you to be better everyday! she rocks!
By Mark Leidig May 17, 2011 - 11:33 am
Jamee is a wonderful person – an Enabler in the best possible sense! I’ve known her for 25 years or so, and have been constantly impressed with her leadership and compassion as she supports her HKN faculty members, staff, students, and anyone and everyone that approaches her needing advice, help and encouragement. Jamee is indeed like the ocean she once prevailed against in her support – always a constant, buoying from below while seeking no notice for herself. Bravo for this article, Viva Jamee! 🙂
By Dana Leidig May 17, 2011 - 11:57 am
Jamee is an amazing leader and a great role model for everyone who teaches under her guidance. I am so thankful to know her and Charlie! It is inspiring to read about her life so thanks for sharing the stories. WOW!
By John Aintablian May 17, 2011 - 1:14 pm
Jamee– You Rock!!!! The English Channel- Im impressed. We should all have a spirit like yours
By Joseph Rodriguez May 18, 2011 - 10:51 am
I took her Gymnastics I class and had an amazing time. I’ll be there next fall for Gymnastics II, and perhaps the diving class this summer. You go Jamee!
By Gustavo Cepparo (Math Professor) May 19, 2011 - 1:43 pm
Jamee was my swimming professor. Super class (lots of cardio) and now I can swim for a long time (non stop).
She is an institution at our Community College and for Central Texas Swimming Coaching.
“Jamee you are ACC”
Gustavo
By Beth F. May 20, 2011 - 8:54 am
Jamie, you are amazing! It is so great to see you getting recognized for all you do. You are so supportive and inspiring. We appreciate you!
By Joe Hood May 22, 2011 - 7:40 am
I have known Jamee (and Charlie)as friends and colleagues since 1985. Jamee is an inspiration and an example to us all. Her selfless efforts have touched many lives, as a host of students and instructors can attest. I am honored to call her a friend.
By Lesley Carter (formerly Packer) May 30, 2011 - 4:00 pm
Jamee was my high school swimming coach at Spring Woods HS in the late 70s. What a great coach! I have the best memories of her encouraging us to swim hard and what a great example she set by swimming the English channel. I still have my picture of her crawling out of the water! I’m so happy to see you getting recognized for being such a positive influence on so many people. Maybe it’s time for a refresher course at ACC!!
By Sarah Mayes June 1, 2011 - 7:41 pm
Jamee you are awesome! I had no idea how much you had on your plate when I was working for you in high school at A-Mill, and El Salido. You’ve inspired so many people, including myself! Have a great summer!
~Sarah
By Roy Ramos June 2, 2011 - 6:04 pm
JAMEE,
YOU ARE A SUPERSTAR***
THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRATION AND GREAT LEADERSHIP.
YOUR ARE TRULY THE “HEAD CHEERLEADER” FOR THE HEALTH AND KINESIOLOGY DEPARTMENT.
By laura June 6, 2011 - 9:43 pm
Hi I´m Laura I’ll begin studies in Health this fall. I’m from México and your story is so inspiring! Congrats you reallu touch me up….
By Tracy Partin(basketball instructor) June 9, 2011 - 3:35 pm
Very impressive! Gosh, Jamee has always been so encouraging to me as an instructor and in my endeavors with ACC. She has been an inspiration guiding me in what I found out that I love to do, teach college students!
Thank you , Jamee!