Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Superintendent Returns To Classroom
WILLIAMS TEACHING ALGEBRA 2
PRAIRIE GROVE — One of the Algebra 2 classes at Prairie Grove High was in for a surprise this year. When students showed up for school the first day, Superintendent Allen Williams greeted them. They soon learned that Williams would be their teacher for the year, not math teacher Donna Mitchell as expected. While Mitchell is assisting in another math class down the hallway, Williams is teaching her first period class and he’s receiving good reviews from his students. “He’s really smart,” said 10th grader Emily Swearingen. “He explains it really thoroughly.” “He’s a cool teacher,” said Michaela Wilks, also a 10th grader. Junior student Elliott Chamberlain said having Williams for a teacher is “an opportunity that other people aren’t going to get.” Williams said he had talked to Principal Ron Bond for some time about teaching a class but just couldn’t seem to work it out with his schedule. Finally, this year, he said he decided to do it and make it work. “You just make time,” Williams said, noting some mornings he comes into the office at 5 or 5:30 a.m. but most days, he starts at the high school around 7:15 a.m. and is ready for the students by 8. Williams is quick to add that the school district has two good assistant superintendents and that helps him tremendously. Williams last taught Algebra 2 about 23 years ago. He taught math and chemistry classes for four years at Conway High School before moving into an administrative position. “Most folks go into education because they like the kids,” Williams said. He interacted with students as a principal but said he has missed being with students since moving into the central office. Williams has worked in a central office for a total of 11 years and for the past seven consecutive years. “This is needed,” Williams said. “This guarantees that I am in the building with students.” Another benefit, Williams said, is that it is renewing his appreciation for teachers and what they do every day. Williams’ intent is to do everything a classroom teacher would do. He will participate in parentteacher conferences and any testing required by the state. He is still learning the district’s computer system but part of his job will be to input students’ grades into the system for transcripts and parents to view. This is the first year for teacher evaluations as mandated by the state and Bond said the joke at the high school has been, “OK, who is doing his evaluation?”
Bond said he is excited to have Williams in the classroom.
“It’s wonderful. He does an outstanding job in that classroom and is an accomplished teacher,” Bond said.
Bond said he is not surprised that Williams wanted to teach a class.
“We get into education because of the kids and we have a passion and a drive to teach,” Bond said. “The job changes over the years and you don’t have that opportunity. I’ve talked to so many administrators who miss the classroom and the connection to the students.”
Another piece of the puzzle, Bond said, is that being in the classroom will help Williams know what’s going on with the students and what’s going on in their lives.
Kimberly Friedman, director of communications with the Arkansas Department of Education, said it is rare for a superintendent to return to the classroom in addition to serving as leader of the school district.
“The depa r tmen t commends anyone who takes on both roles at the same time. It shows dedication to the students, education and the public,” Friedman said.