Dr. Darren Williams, beloved assistant principal at Green Level, is headed down a new path next year as he assumes a position as the principal of Ligon Magnet Middle School. Dr. Williams is a longtime staff member at Green Level and he has certainly left a legacy. He has led the school through thick and thin. From healing the growing pains of establishing a brand-new school to battling the changes of the COVID-19 pandemic, he remained a stable and dependable member of the Green Level administration. As we bid farewell to Dr. Williams, we reflect on his incredible leadership and lasting impact on our school.
Williams was destined to be a leader in education from his first teaching job. It has always been a dream of his to be a principal. In his career, he has consistently moved up in rank, crushing each goal he set. At Green Level, he has advanced to the assistant principal position, but his sights are set even higher.
“I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to be a principal and my goal is actually to extend beyond that. I truly believe that I will lead on the district or on the state level.” Says Williams.
His unwavering confidence and commitment come from an influential mentor early on in his life. At just 21 years old, he took on his first year of teaching. His principal told him that he had great potential and truly believed that he would be a leader of education one day. Dr. Williams remarks not believing him at the time, but proceeding with his career path nonetheless. And it’s a good thing he did, he moved up the totem pole by earning each new position.
Dr. Williams explains, “I went from being a teacher, to a department chair, to a varsity coach, to an assistant principal, to an assistant principal of instruction. So, for me, the principalship is the natural next step.”
There are many routes a leader could take to put a school on the right track. One of the most important aspects of Dr. Williams’s leadership style is his adaptability. The first few years of Green Level High have been a bit chaotic. Particularly the event of the COVID pandemic that altered the way the school ran starting in 2020. Not to mention, the underlying challenges of setting up a brand-new school. Green Level opened not much before the pandemic, allowing the first set of students in August of 2019. Looking back on his time at Green Level, Williams is proud to say that this consistent adaptability is credited with the growth of the school.
Williams describes this success, “During my time at Green Level, we experienced the pandemic and grew as a school to where we are today as a full-fledged comprehensive traditional high school.”
We don’t just thank Dr. Williams for his great dedication to supporting our school, but also for the great community he has fostered. Williams is truly a man of the people, students and staff gravitate towards his positivity. As he moves forward to greater things, he remembers the Green Level family fondly.
“We have an incredible staff, incredible students, and a great family,” Williams remarks.
No matter where Dr. Williams goes next, Green Level will always be in his heart. As he embarks upon fostering that same type of family at Ligon Magnet Middle School, he shares a message to all those he is leaving behind.
“Continue with the path you’re on,” Williams says, “I believe so much in this administrative team and our teachers, and the vision and direction of our school. Keep doing what we’re doing, because we are destined to be one of the best schools in the state.”
With those parting words, Dr. Williams gears up for his next endeavor. Green Level will miss him dearly, but won’t stop cheering him on. His legacy will live on for years as the administrative team continues to implement his ideals into their leadership, never forgetting his powerful adaptability. From the Gator community, we wish you the best of luck. Once a gator, always a gator.
