NAME:
Benjamin Williams
SCHOOL:
Harris Creek YR Elementary School
CLASS:
1st grade - Track 4: Room 219
SCHOOL PHONE:
919-217-5100
I was born in South Boston, Virginia. My family moved around a lot while I
was growing up but my home is Cape Carteret, NC. That is where we lived the
longest and own property. I doubt anyone knows where that is, but if you
have ever been to Emerald Isle, then you have been to Cape Carteret. Cape
Carteret is the little town before you go over the bridge to Emerald Isle
where highways 24 & 58 intersect! Now you know where it is, right?
This is my 14th year in education and my 6th year as a teacher. Before
teaching, I was a full-time school bus driver and substitute teacher for 8
years. I am also a drivers ed teacher/behind the wheel instructor at Wake
Forest-Rolesville High School and Franklin Academy through Jordan Driving
School which is contracted with the Wake County Public School System.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Wake County Public School System, August 2004 - present
Jordan Driving School, 2007 - present, Drivers Ed.
Harris Creek YR Elementary School, 2005 - present, 1st grade
Zebulon Elementary Magnet School, 2004 - 2005, 1st grade
New Hanover County Schools, August 1999 - July 2004
School Bus Driver and Student Teacher
Gregory Elementary Magnet School, 1st grade (Student Teacher)
Williston Middle Magnet School
Duplin County Schools, October 1996 - May 1999
School Bus Driver and Substitute Teacher
Beulaville Elementary School, K-8
North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell, Summers 1995, 96, 97, 98
Seabreeze Summer Day Camp, K-5
DEGREES include:
UNC Wilmington, May 2004
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education (K-6)
Minor and Academic Concentration: English
Coastal Carolina Community College, August 2001
Associate in Arts
NC TEACHING LICENSURE:
Elementary Education (K-6)
Safety & Driver Education (K-12)
Reading (K-12)
Vocational Business Education (6-12)
CERTIFICATIONS include:
Business Education, April 2009
Reading, January 2009
PRAXIS/Licensure add-on
NC Mentor Teacher Training, July 2008
Wake County Public School System
East Carolina University, May 2008
BA/Licensure add-on, Safety and Driver Education (K-12)
NC DMV School Bus and Traffic Safety Section, February 2007
Driver Education Certification
James Sprunt Community College, October 1997
Effective Teacher Training Certificate
AWARDS/HONORS include:
Tenure (Career Status), June 2008
Wake County Public School System
Safe Driving (5 years), May 2004
New Hanover County Schools
Safe Driving (3 years), May 1999
Duplin County Schools
I want my classroom to be a fun and safe learning environment that maximizes
individual potential, celebrates diversity, and prepares students to be
productive and responsible citizens.
PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING: All children have the capacity to learn and are
unique individuals who should be accepted at whatever point they are at and
taken as far as possible over the course of the school year. Children
should be allowed to be children and not be expected to act as miniature
adults. My classroom is a setting where all students are appreciated
equally and treated with respect and their accomplishments, big or small,
are celebrated.
PHILOSOPHY OF LITERACY: The dictionary definition of literacy is "the
ability to read and write." Although this ability is very important, I feel
that reading and writing go more in depth. The successful application of
literacy skills and strategies is fundamental to success in all content
areas. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to ensure that students are
provided with the opportunities to read and write so that they can utilize
their own level of literacy to use in both the real and imaginary worlds.
To read is to be able to explore the infinite possibilities of what the mind
is capable of creating. I want my students to understand reading as an
active, meaning-building process. The skill of writing, just like reading,
reaches far beyond the realm of language arts. Students need the knowledge
and understanding of vocabulary, spelling, and grammar, so that they can
transmit what they are thinking onto paper with an appropriate level of
accuracy in order to be understood by others.
PHILOSOPHY OF SAFETY EDUCATION: Young Americans (especially young children)
are the most essential inhabitants on the Earth. Because of illness and
death due to several reasons, many valued parts of our country are affected
negatively. This negativity can be seen in public and private schools, the
work force, and our nations military. As educators it is our responsibility
to ensure that our students are provided with an education that will show
them how to conduct themselves safely in order to prolong their lives.
