Reflections of a Grateful Leader

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Yet the season of gratefulness continues for as long as we allow it to.  I recently had my two-year anniversary as the superintendent of Selma City Schools.  As I reflect on my tenure, there is much to be grateful for.

Team Selma has come a long way.  Our successes and challenges have been embraced by our leaders.  This includes our board of education, principals and our district team members. 

Were it not for the vision and foresight of our board, our district would not have had the opportunity to thrive.  This group supports our schools and believes in our work.  From the beginning when we were still under state intervention, we have worked together making decisions that would positively impact the children and families of Selma.  Adopting our strategic plan, approving school consolidations, and providing guidance in many areas, I am grateful for this board.

Our principals and district team members are amazing.  I love their collaborative spirit and eagerness to learn together.  Through creativity and deep content knowledge are reason that our schools are making such strong academic gains.  I am grateful for their commitment to Team Selma and their desire to improve outcomes for each child in our district.

My gratitude does not end there.  This community has been extremely supportive of our schools.  Each of our schools now have numerous partners through our Adopt-a-Schools program.  Businesses, churches, civic organizations and more are included.  These partners provide tutors, financial support and other resources that we would otherwise lack.

Over these last two years, I have enjoyed meeting our parents and families.  I so appreciate and value the role that our families play.  A healthy school-home connection is key to the continuous improvement of our schools.  I am looking forward to our Parent University enhancing this connection into the new year.

Finally, and most importantly, I am grateful for our teachers and staff.  This includes every classroom teacher, secretary, custodian, bus driver, child nutrition program and maintenance staff.

Our teachers are some of the most caring and compassionate professionals that I have ever encountered.  I am grateful that they chose Team Selma.  I enjoy visiting schools and watching our teachers educate, engage and inspire our scholars. 

Indeed, our staff are an important part of our team.  The support that they provide ensures that our schools are spaces that are clean, welcoming and conducive to learning.

The last two years have been amazing for Team Selma.  I am grateful to serve in this beautiful community.  I believe that the best is yet to come and for that I am very grateful.

For more information, please reach out to me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.