Dr. Colecia Williams: A Trailblazing Educator and Advocate for Black Women in Education
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, my email notification sprung to life, revealing a response from the awe-inspiring Dr. Colecia Williams. She’s a woman who is no stranger to the halls of Texas schools, having spent more than 18 years shaping minds and lives as a school principal.
Dr. Williams’ resume reads like a testament to her dedication. Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership & Technology from Tarleton State University. Her roles span from classroom teacher, curriculum writer, assistant principal, principal, to principal mentor. But the role she takes the most pride in? Being a wife, mother and a business owner who strives to enhance the leadership capacities of fellow school leaders through her educational consulting firm.
As she reminisces about her childhood, Dr. Williams describes a household with two parents valuing order and prioritizing education. Her mother, an educator, made it clear that bringing home a grade below 90% wasn’t allowed. “Our family had a culture of excellence, and that was the standard we were expected to meet,” Dr. Williams explains.
Despite only having a high school diploma, Dr. Williams’ father, who worked as a professional custodian, took on multiple jobs to support their family. Because of this, attending college was not an option for Dr. Williams and her siblings. Her parents created an environment that fostered her growth and instilled a profound respect for education.
Interestingly, Dr. Williams didn’t initially envision herself as an educator. Only during her final undergraduate year, when she interned at a local high school, did she discover her calling. She was 22 but realized she could command a classroom, and the students respected her. She loved her experience and noticed the impression she left on her students. “I found purpose in going to work daily and would refer to myself as the ‘hope’ dealer or ‘reality’ disruptor for some of our students,” she shares. This experience made her realize the profound impact she could make in students’ lives.
Her philosophy is that education is the great equalizer and is the vehicle that opens doors and gives access to opportunities. “Nelson Mandela states that education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
As a Black woman educator, Dr. Williams faced Stereotype Threat. “My confidence has been perceived as arrogance, my strength has been perceived as stubbornness, and my emotions have deemed me as weak,” she admits. However, she turned these challenges into opportunities for growth, refining her leadership style and staying true to herself.
Moreover, she has also experienced delayed success in her career due to not being a man. She reflects on moments when she accomplished so much but still felt inadequate. “I did not realize this at the time, but I was experiencing the intersectionality of imposter syndrome and stereotype threat all because I was Black and a Woman,” she shares.
Among her career triumphs, one stands out: the academic progress made by her campus in the wake of the pandemic and the recognition her school received from the Texas Association of Black School Educators. In 2021, our campus made huge academic gains by closing students’ academic gaps after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the Texas Association of Black School Educators named Dr. Williams school a Dr. Jay Cummings Demonstration School in Texas. The Dr. Jay Cummings Demonstration Schools Collaborative aims to bring together high-performing K-12 schools from across the state to share best practices and inspire other school leaders to model after high-performing schools. “This was a huge honor because we were the only secondary campus to receive the honor.”
Dr. Williams believes in the lasting impact she can have as a Black woman educator. “I consider myself a role model for staff and students and an example of the importance of education regardless of obstacles,” she says. Her advice to other educators? Adopt a growth mindset, reflect regularly, meditate, and be open to change. “Control your ego, manage your emotions, and learn from your experiences,” she advises wisely.
Dr. Williams is also a contributor to the Centering Our Voices: The Brilliance, Persistence, & Significance of Black Women Educators anthology, a book she says is designed to amplify the voices of Black Women Educators. “I was moved to author my story to encourage others,” she shares. “I wanted to ensure that Black Women educators felt supported and like they had a voice.” Dr. Williams also says she wanted to show how resilience and perseverance have made her the Educator she is. “Although there are many challenges for Black Women educators, the rewards are worth more than the challenges.”
The title of her chapter is You Shall and Overcome and Succeed? “I want the readers to take away the idea that trials and tribulations will come, but they do not have to be permanent barriers to your success.” Dr. Williams wants to encourage others to use her story as a reminder to press forward and to always strive for excellence. Overall, she sees the book as a much-needed resource that gives a voice to the experiences of Black female educators, a group often overlooked in research.
For those eager to connect with her or to order a copy of the ‘Centering Our Voices’ anthology, Dr. Williams can be reached at colecia.holliwilliams@gmail.com. In Dr. Colecia Williams, we see not just an educator but a beacon of resilience and inspiration.
