Social Studies teacher and Athletic Director Willie Williams garners OnPoint Excellence in Education Award. Photo credit: Instagram
It is always a pleasure for me to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned recognition with their work with young people. One of these is Willie Williams, a Social Studies teacher and Athletics Director from Portland, Oregon. Willlie has garnered a 2023 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education award.
Willie teaches history and economics at Roosevelt High School in North Portland. His curriculum includes lessons about under-represented groups and encourages students to think critically about history and justice. Willie also serves his school as the Athletic Director and the advisor for the Black Student Union.
He has a reputation for treating everyone on campus as family. “I call everyone in my classroom family,” he says. “When I address the class in the morning, I say, ‘good morning family.’ In fact, it was his students who nominated him for the coveted OnPoint award.
The honored educator relocated to Portland from New Orleans, Louisiana, ten years ago. He enjoys sharing his native culture with his school community. He even serves Louisiana gumbo to over 1,500 students and staff every year. “It’s a week-long process,” Willie explains, “but it’s something I love doing. It’s soul food,” he continues. “I think good food makes people smile and makes them feel good. That’s what I want to see,” he concludes.
Willie is one of four teachers in Oregon who have been recognized with an OnPoint award. The other three recipients were Caryn Anderson of Portland; Lucas Dix of Milwaukee, Oregon; and Samuel Platt of Bend. As part of the award, all four honored teachers will have their rent or mortgage paid for an entire year. In addition, each teacher’s school will receive a $2,500 donation. To learn more about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, visit OnPointcu.com.
