Carmen Williams Joins Medford Schools As Supt. In Training

MEDFORD, MA — Carmen Williams, a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership Program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, has joined the Medford Public Schools as a superintendent in residence. Williams will work with Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent's office from July 2021 to April 2022.

The fellowship is fully funded through Harvard, and the partnership provides the district with an additional opportunity to meet the needs of all students.

Williams has 17 years of education leadership that touches upon diverse aspects of the educational field. She received her bachelor of science in Elementary Education and her master of science in Educational Leadership from Indiana University. She began her educational career as an elementary school teacher, later serving as a middle school assistant principal and a middle school principal for seven years.

Williams's middle school was the only school in the district to receive the Family Friendly School distinction award from the Indiana State Department of Education for parent engagement, planning and implemented practices. Moreover, her school, Jefferson Traditional Middle School, acquired the highest accountability ranking of an A school.

Williams served as an Adjunct Professor for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing teacher licensure at both Indiana Tech and Indiana University. She has also been a teaching fellow at Harvard University, teaching such courses as Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Learning, Leading People, Leading Change, Workplace Lab, and Equity and Excellence in K12 American Schools.

As a superintendent in training, Williams will be involved in the district’s work and learn about the demands, opportunities and challenges that a superintendent faces on a daily basis. Her commitment to high standards and her expertise in utilizing data to produce increased academic outcomes for students is in line with Medford's pursuit of excellence.

Williams is a "highly skilled facilitator of professional development, family-community engagement, restorative justice and data analysis," according to a statement from the district. This assignment will allow her to utilize this time to learn about the complex role and work of a superintendent, as well as the scale of the work of which she is extremely passionate.