District’s new elementary school director starts job with high expecations

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 1 p.m. — Ann Marie Williams has been named Director of Elementary Schools for Nelson County School District.

ANN MARIE WILLIAMS

An educator of 20 plus years and former elementary school principal for Daviess County Public Schools, Williams follows Tim Beck in that position after Beck’s move to Executive Director of Student Support Services with the retirement of Sara Wilson.

“The interview team and I were impressed not just with Ms. Williams’s experience and expertise, but also with her enthusiasm and passion to see students and staff succeed. I am confident she will be a great addition to our district leadership team and will, in turn, build leadership capacity in our schools, from students to teachers and principals alike,” said Superintendent Anthony Orr.

Williams, who has taught every grade from kindergarten to sixth, comes here after serving for eight years as principal of East View Elementary School, Owensboro. East View, a Proficient school with 468 students, is one of just 114 schools in the nation to earn “Lighthouse” status in Franklin-Covey’s “Leader in Me” program.

“I’m honored to be part of the Nelson County team,” Williams said, mentioning she likes the “welcoming” and “family type atmosphere,” she has found here.

During her time at East View, Williams led implementation of several academic and professional strategies and student programs designed to build capacity among students and faculty while fostering good community relations.

Her experience ranges from building a parent volunteer program, customer service program and implementing professional learning community teams at all grade levels, to starting and coaching in a new NASP (National Archery in Schools) archery program.

“I’m very passionate about having great expectations for all students,” Williams said, mentioning she has already seen here a similar vision and mission that is “very in line” with her own thinking and goals.

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