Dr. Williams sets sail on new journeys after retirement

Dr.+Williams+heads+into+retirement--for+real+this+time.

Alexandra Doulos

Dr. Williams heads into retirement–for real this time.

After a successful six years as the Massapequa High School principal, Dr. Williams prepares for new adventures during retirement.  She recalls an early love of teaching during her childhood, which has resulted in a successful career in educational pursuits.  “I had a blackboard in my basement and made my friends play all the time!”

Prior to arriving in Massapequa, Dr. Williams was a French teacher in South Country Central School District for 24 years.

“I loved being a teacher because it was one of my childhood aspirations since second grade,”Dr. Williams said. “ My high school French teacher inspired me.  She was my role model.”  

The idea of having a passion is important, and students should live by Dr. Williams’ example by finding what fits best.  The LOTE department wasn’t her only choice.  

“My best subject was math, but I wasn’t really sure I wanted to be a math teacher.”

Not yet planning on becoming a principal, Dr. Williams assumed the role of chairperson of the World Languages Department in South Country Central School District.  

“When I was a chairperson, I was also teaching and the job got too big.  I felt I wasn’t teaching students as well as I wanted to and I wasn’t serving my department as best as possible.”  

Dr. Williams took over as a middle school principal before coming to the Massapequa School District.  

Dr. Williams needed a change and found it while reading a newspaper.  “I saw an ad for Massapequa [School District] in the New York Times and, once here, it just fit.  I was meant to be a principal here.  My philosophy of education fit Massapequa.  I think Massapequa always had a very clear vision of doing what’s in the best interest of our students.”

Dr. Williams has remained here at MHS because of the community values.

“It’s a really supportive community.  We have an excellent staff and the kids are amazing.  There are 100 things about every day that make me smile because I know students are doing great things.  Watching all of the different things students do [is very rewarding].  It makes me happy to help students accomplish the things they do.”

Dr. Williams has dedicated her career as a principal to helping students excel.  In conjunction with the school district, she is proud of what the school offers students in order to prepare for other goals they pursue.  

“I think we have great programs that prepare students for life after Massapequa,”  Dr. Williams said.  

On a lighter note, after adhering to a busy schedule, Dr. Williams is ready for a change after 16 years as a principal between her time at Ames and MHS.

“I’m not going to get up before it’s light out!”   

She reminds students that a true passion for what you do is vital. “Choose to do something that you love because you spend most of your waking hours at work,  so that it doesn’t really seem like work.”

Dr. Williams recounts that graduation is an exciting and emotional time for everyone involved.  “The graduation ceremony is when I get to shake seniors’ hands as they walk across the stage to get their diplomas.  For a lot of students, graduation comes relatively easy, but for others, it’s a struggle.  For the students, families, and me that’s the best thing to see.  It makes me cry every time.”  

Dr. Williams advises graduating students and future graduates with sage life advice derived from her experiences.  

“It’s important to have balance.  Love what you do, but make time for everything.  Don’t sacrifice your time with family and friends because you’re focused on accomplishing things.”  

Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has seen many new initiatives, such as the recent common core standards, come into being and has also seen how some of them have proven successful.  

“Sometimes it’s tough when you really don’t agree with with a new program or you don’t agree with the philosophy [behind the program].  Sometimes initiatives come out too fast.”

However, Dr. Williams is not done working and is looking forward to getting involved in different aspects of education, including administrative matters such as “administration certificates” and other innovative programs.  Of her retirement, she says “it’s going to be a reinvention!”  

Massapequa will miss a great principal as she sets sail on new adventures!

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