TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Shane Williams faced speed bumps on road to teaching

ALBANY — Lincoln Elementary Magnet School math and science teacher Shane Williams was a self-confessed “poor student” in elementary school, but also one who overcame many obstacles in life to become a finalist for Dougherty County’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year.

“My journey in education was not typical and there were many speed bumps along the way,” Williams said. “I was a poor student in elementary school, regularly falling behind in reading and mathematics. Shortly after graduation, misfortune hit my family. A few days before Christmas in 1997 my father passed away unexpectedly, leaving my mother, four-year-old sister and myself without his income or health insurance.

“Two weeks later, I was injured in an auto accident on my way to class. The accident totaled my vehicle and placed me in the hospital for two weeks and the greater portion of the next three years. I was forced to withdraw from school and with that lost all financial aid. A week into my hospital stay, my mother was fired from her job. Without health insurance, my bills began to mount rapidly.”

By age 30, Williams with a thriving career in industrial sales when the recession hit in 2008 and he was laid off. A healthy severance package, however, opened the door to finish his degree work in education.

“After being let go, I immediately knew this was an opportunity to finish my degree. So, the first time since the age of 18, I became a full-time college student again,” Williams said.

In 2011 Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in science and math at Georgia Southwestern State University. After graduating, he took a job as Turner Elementary and, along with it, a different set of challenges.

“I must admit I struggled at first. Growing up I had never been faced with the challenges of many of the children faced daily,” Williams said. “Thankfully, my wonderful teammates noticed my struggles, but also my passion for the students we served and they taught me how to survive and then how to thrive. By my third year I had learned how to manage my classroom and my students.

“I also learned being an effective educator is a process that is never truly completed.”

The 2017-18 Teacher of the Year Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn on Front Street. The system also will recognize its retiring educators at the event.

In addition to Williams, the finalists are Jacqueline Floyd, Westover High School; Jasamine Dixon, Albany Middle School; Chevonne Denson, Dougherty High School; Torre’ Mills, Monroe High School; Rebecca Strickland, Lake Park Elementary School; Jordan Waller, Martin Luther King Elementary; and Lydia Zuern, Sherwood Acres Elementary School.