Alisa Williams, Excellence in Beginning Teaching
Philosophy of Teaching
Lessons Should Be Fun (so should teaching)
“I’ll never be a teacher, Dad. My reasons are plenty, but I’ll never be a teacher…”
And then the tsunami of 2004 hit the southern coast of Thailand. Entering the devastated city, I was overwhelmed with the lack of hope, especially seen in young girls with whom I hoped to build relationships. I had no idea that what I desired to offer to the children of Kao Lak, Thailand, would give me a new direction as well.
In my classroom filled with positive encouragement, the students discover a greater sense of self-worth and hope. My passion is to make learning fun so that my students will carry the desire to learn for a lifetime.
I run by the “I CAN” philosophy. This philosophy drives my classroom activities. It helps my students not just dream that they can, but actually believe and trust that they can achieve their goals, they can be productive, they can overcome obstacles, they can succeed.
Along with high expectations, encouraging words, personal notes, high-fives and hugs, I get the privilege of loving and instilling this philosophy into the souls of my students as we build community in our classroom as well as become ambassadors of this philosophy to their own homes.
Out of their desks and on the floor, my students with white boards on their laps and manipulatives to their sides solve mathematical problems while eagerly seeking and distributing encouragement to and from each other. In their midst I recognize individual learning styles and abilities which enable me to effectively differentiate and target my instruction.
Months in Thailand, teaching abused and burdened youth with little hope has empowered me with a variety of creative ideas and intense passion to serve, love and teach young children. I now know after a few short years of blessed experiences and redirection of life purpose that like my students can, so can I (like my dad) be a teacher who instills passion, love of learning and self confidence in every student.
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing: December 2004
Major GPA: 4.0, Overall GPA: 3.4
Dean’s List – Fall 2003 & Spring 2004
Valedictorian of Rowlett High School 2001
Professional Work Experience
Fall 2007 to Present - Saigling Elementary School Third Grade Teacher
- Gifted and Talented certified
- Voted Beginning Teacher of the Year
June 2006 to Present – Anthropologie, Sales Associate
Fall 2006 to Spring 2007 – Plano and Rockwall ISD, substitute teacher
January to June 2006 - Baylor University Medical Center, NICU Unit, secretary
August to November 2005 - United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, campaign associate
Summers 1997 to 2005 - Swimming instructor in Rowlett
Activities and Skills
- August 2000 to Present - Young Life
- Build personal relationships with students from Woodrow Wilson High School who are from all social, cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
- Plan and lead weekly meetings and events that provide experiences for students that are fun, adventurous and life-changing.
- Help young people develop the skills, assets and attitudes to reach their full potential.
- Spring 2004 - Youth With a Mission
- Attended three months of discipleship training in Colorado.
- Served two months in Thailand with tsunami relief efforts.
- Aided young abused children held prisoner to prostitution rings.
- Taught English in several orphanages throughout Thailand.
- Spring 2001 to Fall 2004 - Helping One Student to Succeed (HOSTS)
- Provided consistent, reliable support and friendship to an elementary school child in need.
School
Principal Recommendation
 Dear Beginning Teacher of the Year Committee:
Some things happen by chance, but then some things happen because they were meant to be. I met Alisa Williams, my Teacher of the Year, because it was meant to be. Alisa was sent to Saigling one day last December by our substitute system. It was a random filling of a position needed on a given day, but it was to make a life-changing difference for the Saigling community and Alisa.
Alisa began her career in marketing after receiving a B.A. from Texas A&M University. She was excited to begin her career working for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas as a campaign associate. Since her youth she had been involved with Youth with a Mission (YWAM), Helping One Student to Succeed (HOSTS) and Young Life. It has always been her mission to reach out to others.
Saigling Elementary School third grade teachers (left to right)
Isabel Leu, Stephanie Stoller, Alisa Williams and Emily Frost.
Within a short period of time working for the United Way she knew she needed to have a more direct hands-on experience in her daily life which led her to substitute teaching. Funny how an everyday walk-thru at Saigling could land me to this gifted teacher.
Alisa soon became the favored substitute at our school. Each and every time she was in a classroom, I received glowing reports from the teachers. So the conversations started and by that spring Alisa had enrolled at Region 10. I don’t think things happen by coincidence. You only have to see Alisa teach once to know that this is her calling; she is a natural.
Alisa was a gifted student herself and has stepped up to serve as the cooperating third grade gifted teacher. Differentiation is not a challenge to her because that is what teaching is to her, meeting individual students’ needs. Within the walls of her room there is an autistic child and other students with many demanding needs, yet she always has the passion and time for all.
For Alisa, it may be a challenge, but what she really sees and feels is the privilege to help a student learn. Her classroom management is right on target, her instruction fine tuned to match the students’ needs and her smile and ear are always there for everyone. Alisa is there to teach each student right where they are each and every day.
Alisa was a teacher long before she knew it. In 2004 she was called to go to Thailand after the tsunami had devastated the countryside. There she volunteered teaching ESL to children, cleared out waste and devastation and helped to build new homes. She was an ear of hope to young women who had been molested and needed comfort.
She was a refuge, hope and light after the storm. Alisa is a servant leader whose journey has brought her to make a commitment to teaching as a profession now. Alisa was a teacher long before she was called one or given a certification by the state.
Alisa brings a caring heart and willing spirit each and every day. As a staff member, Alisa is always willing to help out and support her colleagues. There is nothing we cannot ask of her that she will not do willingly and with great skill and care. Her professionalism, capability to inspire her students and ability to work enthusiastically with her colleagues are why Saigling is thrilled to recommend her for our Beginning Teacher of the Year.
Sincerely,
Kellie Latimer
Principal, Saigling Elementary School
E-mail congrats to Alisa Williams
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