LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Shannon Williams was nominated by Dr. Jamie Finley, a family member.

Mr. Williams grew up in a small town with few businesses and fewer people with college degrees, but with a lot of family and teachers who loved and encouraged his free spirit. His parents nurtured his creativity and big imagination and set the expectation that a college education was not only an option, but the foundation for success. He earned his Master's degree in physical education and immediately returned to his hometown community to begin his career. As a middle school P.E. teacher, he assumed the roles of teacher, basketball coach, track coach, football coach, and mentor. 

Mr. Williams has always believed physical education is as important as an academic course. He believes all students should learn appropriate locomotor and non-locomotor skills and have exposure to a variety of games. When walking into the gym or multi-purpose room, you will hear laughter and kids helping each other. Mr. Williams is usually on a team where he has designated himself as the captain.  

In his 14 years in education, he taught middle school students for nine years, and has spent the last five years between the local Elementary and Primary schools. Mr. Williams is a helper who believes he can make a positive impact on children. His district's Pre-K program is traditionally not included in the CAMP (Computer, Art, Music, and P.E.) rotation, so he began helping the teachers with activities and materials for children to have P.E. time. After a couple weeks, Mr. Williams offered to teach crucial, fundamental movement skills to the Pre-K students during his planning time. Walk into the gym during Pre-K time and you'll find the kids are either jumping, balancing on one foot, or stretching. A few students are wrapped around his ankles while he continues to teach. His classes are fun and creative, and everyone actively participates. Mr. Williams has instilled a teamwork mindset where students respect each other, and he includes core values in each of the activities. Students are learning while using their manners and encouraging their peers. 

Mr. Williams' day does not end at 3:30 pm, nor does his summer consist of long weeks of rest. He continues to coach two to three sports in the afternoons, hosts summer camps, and conducts workouts sessions for his players. He volunteers to be on committees at school and helps to encourage student success. Even though Mr. Williams is happily married with a daughter, he still uses his time to work with students in the community and volunteers for most school events. Many times, he volunteers his wife and mother-in-law to organize PTO events, work the Santa shop, and even help in the concession stand. His career in education has become a family endeavor for everyone in his household.

For someone to be considered a LifeChanger, they have to be someone who makes a positive impact in their community and the lives of children, without regard to their background, their race, or economic status. Mr. Williams is that person. He makes children feel extraordinary, talented, and unique. Children of all ages seek him out when they see him in town. They hug him when they leave the gym and high-five him when he tells them how awesome they are. His favorite phrase is, "Ok, kiss your brain because you are so smart." Students will literally kiss their palms and then touch the top of their head! The relationships and influence he has with his students are impressive.

Mr. Williams has a unique background which changed his perception of students, sports, and teaching. He was born with severe scoliosis, and he needed to have surgery to remove a hip bone and fuse within his back when he was in 3rd grade. Mr. Williams had to wear a large back brace for years, which prohibited him from playing sports and made him a victim of constant bullying. Many times, he has said that he would always make sure all kids felt included, and kids who try out for a sport would not be judged solely on their performance, but their attitude, ability for growth, and commitment. He has lived and taught to fight against the negative factors that made his childhood challenging at times. 

"Shannon is a life-changer," said Dr. Finley. "He is the person who makes everyone laugh. He has an imagination that never stops growing, and a relationship with his students that make them feel important. Shannon is the one who helps students out of the car in his Grinch, Unicorn, Elf, Nerd, or Superman costume and says, 'I'm so glad my best friend is at school today.' He is the one who performs Proud Mary by Tina Turner at the schools' talent show, but most importantly, he is the one who fills children's hearts with happiness, laughter and makes learning fun."