Avis Williams

Name:

• Avis Williams

Title/Position:

• Superintendent

Organization:

• Selma City Schools, Selma, Ala.

Education:

• Doctor of Education, University of Alabama
• Educational Specialist, University of Alabama
• Masters of Secondary Ed, Alabama A&M University
• Masters of Educational Leadership, Jacksonville State University
• Bachelors of Education, Athens State University

Leadership Experiences:

• Lead the development of a five-year strategic plan (a Framework for Excellence), new vision, and core values aimed at improving outcomes for the school district.
  • Reorganized district to include a focus on teaching and learning (was not in place before).
  • Improved graduation rate from 84 percent to 89 percent in under three years.
  • Improved district report card by a letter grade (eight points) in under three years.
  • Improved community engagement by creating an Adopt-a-Schools program that established six to eight community partners per school.
  • District released from four-year state intervention (state takeover) due to state's confidence in the leadership stability and established vision of the strategic plan.
• Established a STEAM presence in a high-poverty, rural school district.
  • Developed STEAM in the Black Belt conference, which was attended and supported by 10 other school districts.
  • Created Academies of Academic Excellence in each elementary school.
  • Added a STEAM block to improve critical thinking and growth mindset in all elementary schools.
  • Established robotics teams in each elementary and middle schools. Middle school teams went on to capture first, second, and third place in the U.S. Congressional App Challenge.
  • Established e-sports team to create equity and deeper student engagement for high school scholars.
• Based on community and school needs, added a focus on social and emotional learning in order to be responsive to the whole child and provide supports to all employees.
  • Added a new position: Early and social-emotional learning coordinator.
  • Ensured that all guidance counselors were trained in mental health first aid, bullying prevention, and trauma-informed practices.
  • Established SEL teams at each school.
  • Ensured that all employees have access to secondary trauma, self-care, and wellness information and supports.
  • 90 percent of employees surveyed believe that the district is moving in the right direction.

Professional Accomplishments:

• Served as an English and physical education teacher, dance coach, and track coach.
• Served as an elementary, middle, and high school principal.
• Improved academic outcomes in each leadership role.
• Selected for Marbury Technology Innovation Award as a principal in 2011 and as superintendent in 2019.
• Finalist for Alabama Superintendent of the Year in 2019.
• Created and presented dozens of professional presentations across the nations (topics include educating children in poverty, tech-savvy leadership, improving school and district culture, close reading, developing community partnerships, and giving high-quality feedback).
• Published author of children's chapter book Welcome to Chase Shadows.

ASCD and Other:

• Alabama ASCD member (2015–present)
• Alabama ASCD author (Disrupting the Status Quo: Closing the Opportunity Gap for ALL Students, 2017)
• Alabama ASCD board member (2018–present)
• ASCD Empower19 presenter ("Aim for Excellence: Transforming to a Culture of Joy")
• ASCD member (2015–present)
• Alabama ASCD Winter Conference presenter ("Feedback Is NOT the F-Word," 2020)

Biography Summary:

• Avis Williams is the superintendent of Selma (Ala.) City Schools. A native of Salisbury, N.C., she has served in leadership positions in the U.S. Army and as an entrepreneur and a school administrator. While in the Army, she was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C.; Yongson, Korea; and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. Before becoming an educator, Williams owned a fitness center and worked as a certified personal trainer.
• She received her undergraduate degree from Athens State University, master's degrees from Alabama A&M University and Jacksonville State University, and an education specialist degree and a doctorate from the University of Alabama. She taught English and physical education and coached dance team and track. Williams has been an elementary, middle, and high school principal. She was the executive director of curriculum and instruction in North Carolina, where she led instruction for more than 60 schools. Before moving to Selma, she served as the assistant superintendent for curriculum in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) City Schools.
• She is the author of a children's chapter book called Welcome to Chase Shadows. Her joy comes from spending time with her daughter Briahna, running, writing, and being a "dog mom" to her standard poodles CoCo and Butterscotch. Williams enjoys public speaking and giving back to her community while working with families in need. She is a member of Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church under the leadership of Mitchell Walker.
• Williams has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Tsunami Literacy, Child Abuse Prevention Services of West Alabama, and Health Establishments at Local Schools. A graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XXIX, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Selma; Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.; and the Selma Chapter of the Links, Inc. She has created and delivered dozens of professional development and motivational sessions to churches, student groups, educators, and leaders nationwide. She was awarded the Marbury Technology Innovation award by the Alabama State Department of Education in 2011 as a principal and in 2019 as superintendent. A finalist for state Superintendent of the Year in 2019, Williams is humbled and honored to be a part of the Historic Selma community and to serve as superintendent of Selma City Schools.